Foliage-feeding caterpillars
Caterpillars are the larval stage of moths or butterflies. Many species feed
in leaves of trees. Larvae have three pairs of legs on the area immediately
behind the head and leglike appendages on at least some segments of the
abdomen but not on the first two.
Identification of species | Life
cycle
Damage
Some caterpillars fold or roll leaves together with silk
to form shelters. Others feed on leaves beneath a canopy of silk, sometimes
creating "nests" in foliage, and others devour entire leaves
along with stems. Severe defoliation may cause branch dieback or kill
entire plants.
Solutions
Clip and dispose of infested foliage. Inspect the bark
and scrape any egg masses into a bucket of soapy water and dispose
of them. Provide proper fertilization and water, protect roots
and trunks from damage, and prune trees properly when needed. General
predators, parasites,
or naturally occurring viruses may
help keep populations under control. Applications of Bacillus
thuringiensis applied when larvae are newly hatched will reduce
populations of caterpillars that feed openly on foliage. |
