CLOSED: A mass of caterpillars

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acceler8 Loganville, GA Aug 12, 2015

Can anyone help ID these caterpillars? They unleash themselves every year around this time (mid-August) and they completely consume the Shumard Oak tree that they hatch in. Before the leaves have a chance to change color, they are completely eaten. This is a smaller tree, perhaps 25 feet tall.

It looks a little bit like Datana integerrima (Walnut caterpillar), however the articles I’ve seen don’t mention Oak trees as hosts. I’m in Zone 8, 30052.

Also, are there any natural ways to reduce (or eliminate) these? This was the first year that I noticed such a large concentration, so I cut that branch off. Although, some surrounding leaves were already eaten, so I didn’t get all of them...

Thanks!

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Chillybean (Zone 5a) Aug 12, 2015

I think it might be Anisota senatoria - Orange-striped oakworm moth.

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_pests/trees/hgic2006.html
This site says when possible let nature shrink their numbers, but also has some chemical means. If this happens every year, it can weaken the tree.

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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Aug 12, 2015

The posture of these caterpillars is consistent with that of those in the genus Datana in the family Notodontidae. I suspect that these are a pale color phase of the yellow-necked caterpillar, Datana ministra - http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/images/walnut/YellNeck1_200px.jpg

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acceler8 Loganville, GA Aug 13, 2015

Thank you both, very much! I think Flapdoodle may be on the right track, and Chillybean's link provided some much needed management options.

Thanks again, I now have enough to try and save my tree!

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