Another bug on my Clematis (they must be really yummy). This one, based on a Google search, is, I think, a Laugher caterpillar. Charadra Deridens. But I can't find any information on whether this is a good bug or a bad bug.
Can anyone confirm this ID for me, and let me know if I should get rid of it, or let it hang out?
I don't know, it does look like it though. Charadra larvae eat broadleaf deciduous trees, especially beech, but also birch, oak, and elms. It's not a widespread pest or anything like that. Maybe just remove it from your clem. and let it go somewhere else? It's up to you. Are there many of them, or just the one?
There's just that one and something that looks like a little tiny piece of one on another leaf. I couldn't get a good picture of it, but it doesn't seem like a fully formed caterpillar - just some little black bits and some long white hair.
I don't mind them have a little lunch if they aren't going to destroy my plants, but if they're a problem, I'll go all Hand of Death on 'em!
digigirl, what kind of camera and settings did you use to get such a great close-up picture?
could the bits be a shed skin?
Oh, maybe so. I didn't even think of that. I saw the caterpillar had moved this morning. I'll look again tomorrow morning and see if the bits are still there or not.
New information! I don't think this is a Laugher after all, but rather a Fall Webworm!
Today, I looked up and saw this on the tree right above where I saw that worm / caterpillar (see pic below). Someone identified it as webworm nests, so I looked it up and lo and behold! It looks just like the worm I had on my clematis. Probably fell out of the tree!
Probably also explains why my tree loses all its leaves early every year (grumble, grumble). We'll just see about THAT!
Oops! Here's the new pic.
Ewwwww! Looks like trouble to me! Did you find out what you need to get rid of them? Let us know how it works.
I found an article that listed several things, including a systemic insecticide. I don't want to do that unless absolutely necessary, but I'm not sure we can get up there to cut off the nests and kill 'em.
I'll post when we figure out what we're going to do!
Use a butane torch...that's what I do...fries 'em to a crisp without harming any good bugs. I even use a ladder in some instances.
I don't know about these, but birds love other tent worms. If you can tear the webs open with a pole or something they might finish them off for you.
Oh, sorry Kywoods! I didn't see your previous note asking about the camera.
My camera is a Canon PowerShot A540. I got it as a gift for Christmas. I love it! It's a no-brainer point and shoot, but there's a little zoom in and out lever that let's me get close-ups. I have to pay attention and stop when it starts to get blurry, because it's really not made for the super close-ups, but if I get it as close and as clear as I can, then crop just that part of the picture without reducing size or resolution, I end up with a good quality close-up usually.
Claypa, yeah, my boyfriend is thinking that maybe we can get one of those long poles with clippers on the end and snip off the end of the branch. But that might work, too. Worth a try!
Sounds like a great camera, digi! Thanks for telling me about it--I love closeups, but it's hard to get clear shots.
And be careful, don't hurt yourselves going after those caterpillars!
