What’s Killing my Hedge!

[aveatry]

Wonder if they are perticually bad this / last year. I did actually see wasps visiting and carrying them off ! So for once they were useful

 

[Gibbies]

These are the critters. So far I must of picked off 3x this number. Anyone identify the species?

Do they normally only attack new bushes or also mature bushes?

Once again thanks all as I was about to dig everything up. Maybe I still will and go with some of the suggestions on here.

*image too big

 

[Gibbies]

Here’s a small one. Endless

 

[Exedon]

We have quite a few box plants (play around with topiary)
Have had caterpillars in past mostly cleared up by local flock of sparrows!
To my surprise other day saw sparrows on aquilegia flowers turned out they were clearing a greenfly infestation.

 

[Gibbies]

Spray warm soapy water has been suggested, this a myth?

 

[JohnD]

Yes

 

[Exedon]

Spray warm soapy water has been suggested, this a myth?

Certainly horticultural soap and water mixes are good to stop aphids the idea is it stops them breathing.
Can't do much harm to try.

 

[JohnD]

I sprayed mine multiple times last year. The infestation recurs. A systemic insecticide will hold them off for a few week.

I have got a bacterial preparation that is supposed to give the caterpillars a disease.

 

[Gibbies]

This is my neighbour’s hedge. I take it this is a different species?

 

[Gibbies]

Another photo

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I've had success getting rid of garden critters with Nematodes in the past albeit they weren't box caterpillars https://www.greengardener.co.uk/pro...HT_T5d2gqGsX3bTWlm9uvlTodgxS3DUhoCaOwQAvD_BwE

 

[JohnD]

Get in close and photograph individual leaves.

Include something to show scale

 

[aveatry]

Here’s a small one. Endless

Thems the ones - at that size they will start to uses the silk and bind leaves together. They will attack any age box. I think your neighbours is something else as box is not yellow.

 

[JohnD]

I think your neighbours is something else as box is not yellow.

And leaf is different.

 

[Gibbies]

Thems the ones - at that size they will start to uses the silk and bind leaves together. They will attack any age box. I think your neighbours is something else as box is not yellow.

Ok looks like I’ve wasted approx £100 and 12 months on the wrong type of plant. Guess i should’ve posted on here first.
Once again thanks for all the help.