Now
is the time you may be seeing some webbing in your Texas mountain laurel tree
or shrub. This happens nearly every year but is relatively easy to control.
is the time you may be seeing some webbing in your Texas mountain laurel tree
or shrub. This happens nearly every year but is relatively easy to control.
There
is a moth, called the Genista moth, that lays its eggs on the stems of Mountain
Laurel. When these eggs hatch into small caterpillars or larva of the moth,
they feed on the leaves of this plant. Prior to doing that, they form some
webbing around their kitchen area.
is a moth, called the Genista moth, that lays its eggs on the stems of Mountain
Laurel. When these eggs hatch into small caterpillars or larva of the moth,
they feed on the leaves of this plant. Prior to doing that, they form some
webbing around their kitchen area.
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| Texas mountain laurel |
They normally do not cause a lot of damage
but in some cases their numbers can be so high that the visual damage can be
alarming. This is a little strange because the leaves of Texas mountain laurel
are considered to be somewhat toxic. Most animals do not want to eat those
leaves. But this caterpillar has evolved with this plant and can tolerate these
toxins. These toxins reside in the caterpillar and sold the caterpillar in
itself is not a favored food of predators. Plus the silken webbing deters other
potential enemies.
but in some cases their numbers can be so high that the visual damage can be
alarming. This is a little strange because the leaves of Texas mountain laurel
are considered to be somewhat toxic. Most animals do not want to eat those
leaves. But this caterpillar has evolved with this plant and can tolerate these
toxins. These toxins reside in the caterpillar and sold the caterpillar in
itself is not a favored food of predators. Plus the silken webbing deters other
potential enemies.
If
you have these plants in your landscape, you might check them for damage. If
the damage is minor, just leave them alone. If it is severe, organic sprays of
Dipel or Thuricide will normally control. You may have to destroy the webbing
so that the spray can land on the leaves they are eating. This organic spray relies
on the caterpillars eating sprayed foliage. The webbing may interfere with the
spray landing on the leaves.
you have these plants in your landscape, you might check them for damage. If
the damage is minor, just leave them alone. If it is severe, organic sprays of
Dipel or Thuricide will normally control. You may have to destroy the webbing
so that the spray can land on the leaves they are eating. This organic spray relies
on the caterpillars eating sprayed foliage. The webbing may interfere with the
spray landing on the leaves.
You can also use Spinosad and it will do about the
same thing. Several sprays of insecticidal soap will also probably work.
same thing. Several sprays of insecticidal soap will also probably work.