I would say that about 15-20% of the leaves are affected, maybe 5% are
in pretty rough shape. I hand picked all the caterpillars I could
see, however they are not that easy to spot.

From what I am learning on this newsgroup, I would definetely like to
avoid using pesticides, providing I can solve the problem otherwise.


Luca


On 25 Apr 2003 07:04:40 -0700, (Beecrofter) wrote:

Luca wrote in message . ..
I have planted a little cherry about a month ago. The tree seems
healthy, only in the last couple of days I noticed several tiny
(4-6mm) green caterpillars (if that is what they are), happily chewing
away some of the new leaves. Some even smaller black spots /dots are
always very close to the area that is being eaten.
These worms seem to like being snug either in a new leaf that still
has to unfold, or in between two adjacent leaves stuck together.
So far the damage to the tree is very small, however, like they say,
better safe than sorry. :-)


TIA,
Luca
zone 6b

How much defoliation are you seeing?
Why not just pinch the worms you see.
Soon the wasps and birds will find the ones you have missed.
I doubt it will take more than 5 minutes twice a week.

Or you could go the other route and kill everything that moves.
Buy pesticides in quantities you will never need.