[Arid_gardener] Re: Re: Texas Mountain Laurel: Caterpillar

[Olin Miller]

They usually begin at the new growth and so will also eat flower buds.

Olin
===============================

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marietta Thieding" <mariettat.z at gmail.com>
To: "Olin Miller" <olindmiller at cox.net>
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2008 10:12 AM
Subject: Re: Texas Mountain Laurel: Caterpillar


> Thank you for the information.  Do these tent caterpillars prevent the 
> tree
> from blossoming?  Last Spring I only had one blossom...Thanks again.
>
> On Sun, May 18, 2008 at 10:28 PM, Olin Miller <olindmiller at cox.net> wrote:
>
>> 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?
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> -- 
> Marietta Thieding
> RealData, Inc.
> 602-789-1223 X 204
> www.ApartmentInsights.com
>