Catapillars on Apple and Pear Trees
 

Hi
I live in a small village in Soria, Northern Spain and recently inherited an old allotment/orchard with some old apple and pear trees (est 50 years old). I noticed last year that catapillars had been eating the leaves and they are doing the same this year. I dont want to spray chemicals on them and dont even know if I want to remove them. My question is: will they effect the fruits growth? If so what is the best non chemical way to remove them, if I must.

Hi

If there are lots of them, they are probably sawfly lavae (look like caterpillars, but not). They will decimate the leaves (weakening the trees), and ruin the fruit. Without chemicals you can get rid of them by picking them off one by one, or you can wash them off with a jetspray or pressure washer...