Caterpillars devouring oak

[ecampbell]

in the field near Batona Camp. I'd hate to see these get a foothold.

 

[Teegate]

How many years has it been since you had that problem at your house? Could it be a cycle?

 

[Spung-Man]

Looks like the yellownecked caterpillar, Datana ministra. Here's a good way to identify them. If disturbed, the caterpillars lift their head and tail to form a "U"-shape. If so, then natural predators usually keep them under control.

S-M

 

[ecampbell]

We had gypsey moth and oak worm caterpillars back in the 80"s, but these are not them. The oak worms came out in Sept - Oct timeframe so we never sprayed them. It made leaf cleanup easier.