Apple tree caterpillars

[Martin H]

I spotted nests of caterpillars on one of my allotment apple trees last weekend.

Anyone know what they are likely to be? Goggle Images wasn't much help...



I'm curious more than anything. Most likely I'll leave them alone this year as long as I can get a few apples to help me decide what to do with the tree.

[FB.]

There are several different caterpillars which do that. The most common culprit on my trees is the red/white/blue-striped variety usually known as "Lackey Moth".
They eat the leaves, not the fruits (well, maybe they'll take a tiny bite out of the odd fruit if it is within reach of their web, but they don't tunnel into the core like codling moth or sawfly).
The caterpillars are unlikely to cause a major problem unless the tree is sick, or a dwarf. No need to "nuke 'em" with chemicals.

[Martin H]

Thanks. When the caterpillars are a bit bigger I'll try to ID them, but otherwise I'll stick with the plan of leaving them alone. After all, it's their planet too.

(Unlike slugs, which are obv aliens).

[realfood]

For the first time ever, I saw something similar on one of my apples. The nest contained black caterpillars, and I sorted them out pronto!!

[veggiechicken]

I found one a few days ago. A rolled up leaf with fluffy stuff with a very small black caterpillar inside it