Caterpillars are eating my tree!

**dogoagogo** · 06-22-2011, 06:30 AM

My lovely PSCA planted Ash tree is being eaten by caterpillars! Those skinny little green ones. The Locust next door does not seem to be affected - yet.

We cut off the affected branches yesterday, but I'm sure that won't solve the problem.

Any suggestions for treatment?

**VeganDike** · 06-22-2011, 08:25 AM

Soapy water seems to work for many insects. Have you searched it yet?

**dogoagogo** · 06-22-2011, 03:58 PM

I'm not sure how to get soapy water on a 4 story high tree. Water pressure in South Philly isn't that great, but maybe I can put a garden sprayer on the hydrant across the street!

**Polar Cub** · 06-22-2011, 07:27 PM

Not much you can do. Removal by hand might be the only thing to do. Spraying a tree of that height from the ground would be impossible. Native Ash trees have built up a tolerance and may be fine though, if they're Tent caterpillars.(I heard something like this once, I think.)

**VeganDike** · 06-22-2011, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by dogoagogo

I'm not sure how to get soapy water on a 4 story high tree. Water pressure in South Philly isn't that great, but maybe I can put a garden sprayer on the hydrant across the street!

So I guess that means you have not searched it, as in on the internet.

Here's a sample search ~ " my tree is being destroyed by naked caterpillars!"

**Polar Cub** · 06-23-2011, 05:07 AM

You could always get tree surgeon with a highreach to do a BT treatment. Don't waste your time on soapy water to control caterpillars. It's not very effective for caterpillars.

**VeganDike** · 06-23-2011, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by dogoagogo

My lovely PSCA planted Ash tree is being eaten by caterpillars!

Any suggestions for treatment?

They generally avoid Ash trees so you may want to post a pic of a leave. Here's some control info from the
Univ of Kentucky as well as links for the GYPSY MOTH:

~Control

There are several ways to control gypsy moth. In small populations, it may be easiest to destroy egg masses that are found on buildings, trees, etc. To destroy the egg mass, either crush the eggs or place them in a bucket of kerosene or SOAPY
WATER. Burning the egg mass will also kill them. Simply picking the egg masses off and dropping them on the ground will not kill them. Be careful when handling the egg masses because the hairs that cover the egg masses may cause an allergic reaction. ~ http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/ent...tpdf/ef425.pdf

http://gypsy.fsl.wvnet.edu/gmoth Edit ~ disregard these two - both have a ' Bad Gateway '
http://www.gypsymoth.ento.vt.edu/

**dogoagogo** · 06-23-2011, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by VeganDike

So I guess that means you have not searched it, as in on the internet.

Here's a sample search ~ " my tree is being destroyed by naked caterpillars!"

Does it matter? Yes I have, but I have not found a solution that fits the situation. Not sure why this is so important to you whether I did or not. I heard you the first time, but I ignored the question because it has nothing to do with my concern or this thread. It's none of your business.

I would rather have answers provided by people who live in the city that may have had a similar experience in the local area than some google search fraught with ask, ehow, about and other BS results that have nothing to do with my situation. Would YOU soak an urban street tree in gasoline and set it on fire?

You do not need to school me on the internet. I've been here for a good piece of time.

**dogoagogo** · 06-23-2011, 07:45 AM

Thank you. I do believe they are the tent caterpillars.

**dogoagogo** · 06-23-2011, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by VeganDike

They generally avoid Ash trees so you may want to post a pic of a leave. Here's some control info from the
Univ of Kentucky as well as links for the GYPSY MOTH:

Thank you for this info. I didn't see this earlier. They aren't gypsy moths for sure, my husband knows what they look like.

**dogoagogo** · 06-23-2011, 07:48 AM

for some reason I can't get my reply out of the quoted area. Anyhow, thank you!

**VeganDike** · 06-23-2011, 07:51 AM

Good luck, maybe the U of K site will help identify them or a pic. Thanks I'll keep my eye out for them also.

**Moonraker** · 06-23-2011, 08:37 AM

PHS operates a Hot Line, daily until Noon. 215-988-8800 and aske for The Hotline

**philaBen** · 06-23-2011, 09:15 AM

If it's only your Ash tree could it be the Emerald Ash Borer? PA has several counties under quarantine out west but doesn't sound like it's been spotted here yet:

Emerald Ash Borer

**VeganDike** · 06-23-2011, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by philaBen

If it's only your Ash tree could it be the Emerald Ash Borer? PA has several counties under quarantine out west but doesn't sound like it's been spotted here yet:

Emerald Ash Borer

That one looks nasty! Let me see if I can paste what I just found...

Caterpillar on ash tree - Alsophila pometaria - BugGuide.Net | Awesome Screenshot

I don't like the 'Awesome Screenshot' add-on as much as the Photobucket add-on I lost when I upgraded to Firefox 4.0.1. I'll just paste the links.
http://bugguide.net/images/raw/2HFHW...KLCHSLAHGH.jpg
http://bugguide.net/node/view/392760/bgimage

**dogoagogo** · 06-23-2011, 11:24 AM

Hmmm, I don't think so. These are the small fuzzy green ones - I think they're like the ones when I was a little kid in the country.

Kinda looks like this:

OK I kid, but looking for a photo of it, and the results to my image search are giving me nightmares. Things with more than 8 legs freak me out.