My Rhodosphaera rhodanthema (Deep Yellowwood) and Euroschinus falcata (Ribbonwoods) have been reduced to miserable skeletons of themselves, by webby-looking caterpillar nests. They are (I thknk) the only representatives of their family in the area - except for mango trees. Does anyone know what the insects are, and have any suggestions as to what to do about them?
they are webbing catapillars, and about the only way you can get rid of them is to pull them off the tree by hand and stomp on them. Or cut the tree down to the ground.
Thanks, Nathan. It's a big job (gulp) but I'll go for the hand-picking. I was looking at someone else's Rhodosphaera rhodanthemas today, and they're a picture of health, and laden with bunches of the improbable-looking shiny brown berries. Quite an unusual colour, and something I'd love to have. I might try the thongs method which is so effective for sawflies. Trish
nathanhurst
trish_gOriginal Author
nathanhurst