Q. These are the worms we
find on our Palo Verde tree in the backyard. We would like to get rid of them
but do not know how. Is there something besides spraying the whole tree which
is huge, a systemic maybe, that would do the trick and not kill the tree. They
make a mess of the sidewalk and other stuff under the tree. Any help would be appreciated.
find on our Palo Verde tree in the backyard. We would like to get rid of them
but do not know how. Is there something besides spraying the whole tree which
is huge, a systemic maybe, that would do the trick and not kill the tree. They
make a mess of the sidewalk and other stuff under the tree. Any help would be appreciated.
 |
| Worms or caterpillars on readers Palo Verde |
A. These critters have
been reported elsewhere in the desert Southwest. Must be because of our wet
spring weather. They should disappear in a matter of a week or two or less. It
is a larva or caterpillar of a moth. I am not sure which one.
been reported elsewhere in the desert Southwest. Must be because of our wet
spring weather. They should disappear in a matter of a week or two or less. It
is a larva or caterpillar of a moth. I am not sure which one.
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.
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.
Your tree can get a lot of damage from these critters and
still be fine. If there is enough of them you should see a lot of their poop on
the ground because they eat a lot, voraciously, before they pupate and begin
the change into a moth.
still be fine. If there is enough of them you should see a lot of their poop on
the ground because they eat a lot, voraciously, before they pupate and begin
the change into a moth.
You can spray with an organic pesticide such as BT or
Spinosad but as far along as they are I think it’s a waste of money. Even if
they defoliate the tree it will relief again and come back out.
Spinosad but as far along as they are I think it’s a waste of money. Even if
they defoliate the tree it will relief again and come back out.
Relax and have a glass of lemonade but don’t put your
lemonade under the tree.
lemonade under the tree.
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I am not sure, but they look like Gypsie Moth larvae, in the NE part of the country they are a huge problem, and strip trees bare! I would think you'd want to get rid of them before they multiply and spread…?