[Arid_gardener] Re:Texas Mountain Laurel: Caterpillar

[Olin Miller]

The "tent" caterpillar is a common insect that creates web-like tents or
silky webs on branch tips of trees and shrubs.  The tents provide protection
for young larvae.  The larvae then feed on nearby leaves and will strip a
branch before moving on.  The larva stage occurs in the early spring and l
lasts for 5- 6 weeks.  It is usually not
a serious problem depending on the health of the tree but can be unsightly
on landscape plants.  Check photos of several types to see if that is what
you have at

http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/fh/pest_pages/2253051.html
and
http://bugguide.net/node/view/53387/bgpage

Mechanical control (hand-picking) works pretty well if you can reach the
larvae.  Bt in formulations like Dipel or Thuricide is also effective for
killing caterpillars but you can't permanently get rid of them without
killing or repelling the adult moths which will always bring more
caterpillars.  Light attracts night-flying moths so keeping the area around
yourtree dark  at night or using the yellow bug lights might help keep some
of the moths away.   Chemical insecticides to kill off the moths is seldom
recommended because most are nonselective and also will beneficials.

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
============================================

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <MariettaT.Z at gmail.com>
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:06 PM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


>
> 85022
> MariettaT.Z at gmail.com
>
> Reoccuring every year on my 15+ old Texas Mountain Laurel tree are the
> caterpillars which eat the tips of my tree.  I cannot get rid of them. I
> have sprayed with thruingiensis, dusted with the caterpillar Dipel powder,
> and cut off the tips with them on (but I don't get the blossoms then).
> Has anyone had them, and permanently gotten rid of them?