Aargh - caterpillars!

[JackieNo]

Woke up this morning, looked out of the window at the back, and one of the plants out there (about 5ft tall and about as wide), that was full of leaves, suddenly all the leaves are skeletons. Didn't have a chance to look more closely till now, but have now found that it's covered with little green caterpillars that have eaten the leaves. So far it's only that plant that's affected (it's a weed that I've let grow far too big), but are they going to go on and munch the rest of the garden? What do I do, please? Anyone know?

[JackieNo]

Anyone? Do I need to be out there gathering them all up into an ice cream tub before disposing of them in some way? (God I hope not).

[JackieNo]

Please

[southeatsastras]

aw cute

[JackieNo]

Normally, yes, but not if there's a plague of them.

[southeatsastras]

i imagine they'll of had their fill with the one plant i meant to put

[goingfor3]

They will turn into beautiful butterflies - arghhhhh

[HuwEdwards]

I don't think they will munch the rest of the garden - we have 1 or 2 plants that the little bleeders target for munching - all else is left ok.

[JackieNo]

But will they eat all our garden first?

[JackieNo]

Ah, Xpost Huw - thanks. Hope that's the case. Looks v weird out there, all those skeleton leaves.

[morningpaper]

me too - I have lost two trees completely - a willow and a birch. Completely stripped, one by small green caterpillars, one by big fat stripy caterpillars. Amazing. Too late to do anything - just wait for the butterflies I suppose!

[southeatsastras]

i don't think i've seen one caterpillar this year

[JackieNo]

I thought autumn had come and the leaves had fallen off overnight, then realised. Glad (in a strange kind of way) that it's just not me. ALso glad it's the 'weed' (not that we've got that many plants, they'd only get eaten by the wild rabbits)

[JackieNo]

Southeastastra - you can have some of our caterpillars if you want - we've got plenty.

[southeatsastras]

i think you've got them all! none in my garden at all