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#1
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Bay caterpillars
I wonder if anyone has encountered this problem and found a lasting solution to it. We have two half standard bays which are excellent but for the continuing presence of caterpillars which damage the leaves, particularly new softer leaves. The caterpillars are of the leaf roller type but as the leaves are too rigid to roll they stick adjoining leaves together and, in the safety of the leaf sandwich they munch the surface layers leaving large brown or semi transparent patches. I have also noticed the same caterpillars on one of our Choisya shrubs. It looks as though they are the larvae of the Carnation tortrix moth, Cacoecimorpha pronubana, which is a problem as I cannot find any readily available effective controls online. If anyone has discovered anything that works. I have tried a thiachloprid (which being a neonicotinoid I only use as a last resort) but so far even drenching the bays with it has not solved the problem. -- rbel |
#2
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Bay caterpillars
On 06/01/2013 13:17, rbel wrote:
I wonder if anyone has encountered this problem and found a lasting solution to it. We have two half standard bays which are excellent but for the continuing presence of caterpillars which damage the leaves, particularly new softer leaves. The caterpillars are of the leaf roller type but as the leaves are too rigid to roll they stick adjoining leaves together and, in the safety of the leaf sandwich they munch the surface layers leaving large brown or semi transparent patches. I have also noticed the same caterpillars on one of our Choisya shrubs. It looks as though they are the larvae of the Carnation tortrix moth, Cacoecimorpha pronubana, which is a problem as I cannot find any readily available effective controls online. If anyone has discovered anything that works. I have tried a thiachloprid (which being a neonicotinoid I only use as a last resort) but so far even drenching the bays with it has not solved the problem. I am hoping here that you do not use your bay leaves for cullinary purposes, since the best way of ridding your trees of this pest is a systemic insecticide. Because the caterpillars are protected, any contact insecticide you use will not have any effect. A systemic insecticide will get into the sap of your tree, the insects will suck the sap and die. In truth, I am not aware of a caterpillar specifically dependant on Laurus nobilus (Bay Tree), but even if you have misidentified your pest, a systemic insecticide will rid your tree of both Bay Sucker and Scale insects. If you do use your bay leaves in the kitchen, I suggest you cut a stem or several for drying, then apply the systemic drench. Hope this helps. -- Spider from high ground in SE London gardening on clay |
#3
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Bay caterpillars
"Spider" wrote in message ... On 06/01/2013 13:17, rbel wrote: I wonder if anyone has encountered this problem and found a lasting solution to it. We have two half standard bays which are excellent but for the continuing presence of caterpillars which damage the leaves, particularly new softer leaves. The caterpillars are of the leaf roller type but as the leaves are too rigid to roll they stick adjoining leaves together and, in the safety of the leaf sandwich they munch the surface layers leaving large brown or semi transparent patches. I have also noticed the same caterpillars on one of our Choisya shrubs. It looks as though they are the larvae of the Carnation tortrix moth, Cacoecimorpha pronubana, which is a problem as I cannot find any readily available effective controls online. If anyone has discovered anything that works. I have tried a thiachloprid (which being a neonicotinoid I only use as a last resort) but so far even drenching the bays with it has not solved the problem. I am hoping here that you do not use your bay leaves for cullinary purposes, since the best way of ridding your trees of this pest is a systemic insecticide. Because the caterpillars are protected, any contact insecticide you use will not have any effect. A systemic insecticide will get into the sap of your tree, the insects will suck the sap and die. In truth, I am not aware of a caterpillar specifically dependant on Laurus nobilus (Bay Tree), but even if you have misidentified your pest, a systemic insecticide will rid your tree of both Bay Sucker and Scale insects. If you do use your bay leaves in the kitchen, I suggest you cut a stem or several for drying, then apply the systemic drench. Hope this helps. -- Spider from high ground in SE London gardening on clay Thanks for that Spider. Whilst we don't, 'I hope' have any problems, it's nice to know what to do should the problem arise. We have lots of Bay, they seem to grow like weeds, should we see trouble on one, will it spread to others? Thinking Dutch Elm and now Ash problems. Mike -- .................................... Smile ... It irritates those who wish to destroy you. .................................... |
#4
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Bay caterpillars
On Sun, 06 Jan 2013 13:49:54 +0000, Spider wrote:
On 06/01/2013 13:17, rbel wrote: I wonder if anyone has encountered this problem and found a lasting solution to it. We have two half standard bays which are excellent but for the continuing presence of caterpillars which damage the leaves, particularly new softer leaves. The caterpillars are of the leaf roller type but as the leaves are too rigid to roll they stick adjoining leaves together and, in the safety of the leaf sandwich they munch the surface layers leaving large brown or semi transparent patches. I have also noticed the same caterpillars on one of our Choisya shrubs. It looks as though they are the larvae of the Carnation tortrix moth, Cacoecimorpha pronubana, which is a problem as I cannot find any readily available effective controls online. If anyone has discovered anything that works. I have tried a thiachloprid (which being a neonicotinoid I only use as a last resort) but so far even drenching the bays with it has not solved the problem. I am hoping here that you do not use your bay leaves for cullinary purposes, since the best way of ridding your trees of this pest is a systemic insecticide. Because the caterpillars are protected, any contact insecticide you use will not have any effect. A systemic insecticide will get into the sap of your tree, the insects will suck the sap and die. In truth, I am not aware of a caterpillar specifically dependant on Laurus nobilus (Bay Tree), but even if you have misidentified your pest, a systemic insecticide will rid your tree of both Bay Sucker and Scale insects. If you do use your bay leaves in the kitchen, I suggest you cut a stem or several for drying, then apply the systemic drench. Hope this helps. Many thanks for the quick response. Our bays are purely ornamental. This moth is not specifically dependant on bay, according to FERA and ADAS papers it is at home on a variety of plants. To quote FERA - "C. pronubana is highly polyphagous and larvae feed on plants in 138 genera. Throughout its range, C. pronubana is a pest of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus). Other major hosts include Brassica, Chrysanthemum, Citrus, Daucus carota (carrot), Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato), Pelargonium, Picea (spruce), Pinus (pine), Prunus, Rosa and Vicia faba (beans). Minor hosts include Allium porrum (leeks) and Fragaria (strawberry)" The thiachloprid insecticide I have used is a systemic, unfortunately so far it has not worked even though it has been used for the maximum number of applications per annum. I wonder if Charlie or Sacha have come across this pest as it thrives in commercial glasshouse environments. -- rbel |
#5
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Bay caterpillars
On 06/01/2013 14:25, 'Mike' wrote:
"Spider" wrote in message ... On 06/01/2013 13:17, rbel wrote: I wonder if anyone has encountered this problem and found a lasting solution to it. We have two half standard bays which are excellent but for the continuing presence of caterpillars which damage the leaves, particularly new softer leaves. The caterpillars are of the leaf roller type but as the leaves are too rigid to roll they stick adjoining leaves together and, in the safety of the leaf sandwich they munch the surface layers leaving large brown or semi transparent patches. I have also noticed the same caterpillars on one of our Choisya shrubs. It looks as though they are the larvae of the Carnation tortrix moth, Cacoecimorpha pronubana, which is a problem as I cannot find any readily available effective controls online. If anyone has discovered anything that works. I have tried a thiachloprid (which being a neonicotinoid I only use as a last resort) but so far even drenching the bays with it has not solved the problem. I am hoping here that you do not use your bay leaves for cullinary purposes, since the best way of ridding your trees of this pest is a systemic insecticide. Because the caterpillars are protected, any contact insecticide you use will not have any effect. A systemic insecticide will get into the sap of your tree, the insects will suck the sap and die. In truth, I am not aware of a caterpillar specifically dependant on Laurus nobilus (Bay Tree), but even if you have misidentified your pest, a systemic insecticide will rid your tree of both Bay Sucker and Scale insects. If you do use your bay leaves in the kitchen, I suggest you cut a stem or several for drying, then apply the systemic drench. Hope this helps. -- Spider from high ground in SE London gardening on clay Thanks for that Spider. Whilst we don't, 'I hope' have any problems, it's nice to know what to do should the problem arise. We have lots of Bay, they seem to grow like weeds, should we see trouble on one, will it spread to others? Thinking Dutch Elm and now Ash problems. Mike I think you can be fairly sure that any insect pest that infests one Bay, will infest the rest. I'm not aware of any identifiable pest/disease on Bay. However, although I haven't experienced any kind of Phytophthera damage on my Bay tree, this type of fungal disease seems so rife it would be wise just to be aware of it. If your tree looks generally healthy, it probably is. As to the problems re Dutch Elm and Ash trees, they are to my knowledge, specific to that host. Of course, any sap sucking pest that wounds your tree can introduce disease or virus from its previous port of call. Just be watchful. -- Spider from high ground in SE London gardening on clay |
#6
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Bay caterpillars
"Spider" wrote in message ... On 06/01/2013 14:25, 'Mike' wrote: "Spider" wrote in message ... On 06/01/2013 13:17, rbel wrote: I wonder if anyone has encountered this problem and found a lasting solution to it. We have two half standard bays which are excellent but for the continuing presence of caterpillars which damage the leaves, particularly new softer leaves. The caterpillars are of the leaf roller type but as the leaves are too rigid to roll they stick adjoining leaves together and, in the safety of the leaf sandwich they munch the surface layers leaving large brown or semi transparent patches. I have also noticed the same caterpillars on one of our Choisya shrubs. It looks as though they are the larvae of the Carnation tortrix moth, Cacoecimorpha pronubana, which is a problem as I cannot find any readily available effective controls online. If anyone has discovered anything that works. I have tried a thiachloprid (which being a neonicotinoid I only use as a last resort) but so far even drenching the bays with it has not solved the problem. I am hoping here that you do not use your bay leaves for cullinary purposes, since the best way of ridding your trees of this pest is a systemic insecticide. Because the caterpillars are protected, any contact insecticide you use will not have any effect. A systemic insecticide will get into the sap of your tree, the insects will suck the sap and die. In truth, I am not aware of a caterpillar specifically dependant on Laurus nobilus (Bay Tree), but even if you have misidentified your pest, a systemic insecticide will rid your tree of both Bay Sucker and Scale insects. If you do use your bay leaves in the kitchen, I suggest you cut a stem or several for drying, then apply the systemic drench. Hope this helps. -- Spider from high ground in SE London gardening on clay Thanks for that Spider. Whilst we don't, 'I hope' have any problems, it's nice to know what to do should the problem arise. We have lots of Bay, they seem to grow like weeds, should we see trouble on one, will it spread to others? Thinking Dutch Elm and now Ash problems. Mike I think you can be fairly sure that any insect pest that infests one Bay, will infest the rest. I'm not aware of any identifiable pest/disease on Bay. However, although I haven't experienced any kind of Phytophthera damage on my Bay tree, this type of fungal disease seems so rife it would be wise just to be aware of it. If your tree looks generally healthy, it probably is. As to the problems re Dutch Elm and Ash trees, they are to my knowledge, specific to that host. Of course, any sap sucking pest that wounds your tree can introduce disease or virus from its previous port of call. Just be watchful. -- Spider from high ground in SE London gardening on clay Thanks Spider. Very healthy, ...... I think ;-) Bit dark to examine them now, but will have a good deco tomorrow. Thanks again Mike -- .................................... Smile...It irritates those who wish to destroy you. .................................... |
#7
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Bay caterpillars
On Sun, 6 Jan 2013 23:05:44 +0000, Sacha wrote:
Our bays are purely ornamental. This moth is not specifically dependant on bay, according to FERA and ADAS papers it is at home on a variety of plants. To quote FERA - "C. pronubana is highly polyphagous and larvae feed on plants in 138 genera. Throughout its range, C. pronubana is a pest of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus). Other major hosts include Brassica, Chrysanthemum, Citrus, Daucus carota (carrot), Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato), Pelargonium, Picea (spruce), Pinus (pine), Prunus, Rosa and Vicia faba (beans). Minor hosts include Allium porrum (leeks) and Fragaria (strawberry)" The thiachloprid insecticide I have used is a systemic, unfortunately so far it has not worked even though it has been used for the maximum number of applications per annum. I wonder if Charlie or Sacha have come across this pest as it thrives in commercial glasshouse environments. I asked Ray and his reply is that we see very few of them so when we do, we squash them! So do I when if and when I spot them. The problem is spotting them in amongst the dense foliage when they are installed in their leaf sandwiches, hence resorting to insecticide. Unfortunately the first sign of their presence is invariably chewed brown leaves. -- rbel |
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