We’re expecting a monumental caterpillar year on Mayne Island this year. Everybody’s talking about it. It’s cyclical. Every 7 or 8 years the caterpillar population goes wild. Dave (he does the pruning for me) was picking off lots of egg cases from the branches as he pruned.
I began my pest control efforts last summer, picking off the egg masses that had just recently been deposited by the moths. The cases are so interesting. Really!…like styrofoam on the outside. Once you peel it off from the branch, you can see all the little round eggs on the inside that are just waiting for the following May and the sun’s warmth so they can hatch and devour the tree leaves.
It’s much easier to remove the eggs in the winter…no leaves and fruit on the tree to get in your way and the rainy season softens them so they come off the branch much easier.
They look quite different after the winter rains, you can really see all the little eggs on the outside….
Thank you for the information C. didn't know it and find it very hepful.
I would like to subscribe to the blog not to miss your posts but i can't find the gadget!
I found a crawling tent this morning on my favorite Gravenstein tree, and the cherry next to it. Off they came!
Thanks to your pictures I know what to look for this year.
Mike on the Olympic Peninsula
Thanks, I found these on the branches of my dwarf tree and did a search to find out what they were. Took a while to find your post, and it certainly looks like this! Well disguised, just look like a swelling on the branch. In the meantime, I also found out what ladybug eggs look like, so if I see those I will definitely keep them.