Advice needed on tent caterpillars

[womble]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ree_47680.html

A thread I started on another board. I could with some advice about what to do please.

Not sure whether to destroy them or not. I can't find much info about them on UK sites.

[ginger ninger]

You are in a quandary Womble aren't you?
Have a look at the link below it could help you decide what you want to do. I've also popped some photo's on to help you I.D what caterpillar you have.


Moths of the Adur Valley

[womble]

Right, OK. Further research have shown them to be a huge pest in the USA, very very little stuff about them in the UK though.

I think they are Eastern tent caterpillars, from the ETC moth.

I'm off to destroy them once little Womble has finished his lunch!

[womble]

You are in a quandary Womble aren't you?[/url]

I don't want to destroy something for the sake of it if they can live happily somewhere else.
But it does look in this situation that to get rid of them all, was the right thing to do.

Thanks

[Nicos]

I think they are Eastern tent caterpillars, from the ETC moth.

That was my conclusion too!
Spread like wildfire amongst all my fruit trees

I've even been and had a look to see if I can see the start of them on mine - but no show so far here...you're way ahead of me with them at the moment! ( even your pear tree has bigger leaves on it!)

I hate to squish- but that was my conclusion.
I did read somewhere you can use coddling moth traps to help prevent them.