I see it now!Yes, I can see the very caterpillars that aveatry described, in that picture.
I think they are caterpillars for weeks from a tiny thing to about 1/2 inch long until they then pupate into a moth but they are likely to go back to the plant as a moth to lay eggs and start the process again.Ok good news thank you all.
I thought caterpillars would turn to a butterfly or moth in a few days but seems I am wrong. How long they normally stay as a caterpillar?
Wish I’d visited this forum a few weeks ago!
I wanted to try and avoid chemicals so started off by picking them off but every time I thought I had them all and looked the next day there were just as many so bug clear it was. Seems to of done the trick but now have a dead looking - was ornamental pyramid outside the front door.These little £$%^s have decimated my box hedge as well. I sprayed Bug Clear Ultra 2 last year and managed to see them off long enough for the plants to mostly recover. However they are back this year and because it just won't stop raining for longer than say 6 hours, I can't spray again, so they're just getting on with it and I can't do anything about it
Thinking about throwing in the towel and replacing with Euonymus or something. Can't keep doing battle every year forever more.
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