Caterpillar problem

[Ryan29]

Good afternoon everyone,

I have just bought my first house and I am trying to grow a few things. One thing I have in the garden is a young plum tree. It has been growing well but have recently noticed the leaves have been attacked. Upon further investigation have found that it is full of caterpillars. About 2" long black with yellow stripes running down its body, they seem to have a horn just below the head and have red spots.


Any help off anybody would be much appreciated. If you need any more photos let me know

Thanks ryan

[Martin H]

I think that is a Grey Dagger.

Grey Dagger Caterpillar - UK Safari

[Ryan29]

Any advice on what I should do with them?

[Martin H]

Personally I would just admire them. Handsome brutes, aren't they!

If there are so many that the tree has hardly any leaves left, pick off as many caterpillars as you can find and squish them. Wear gloves though, hairy caterpillars can be quite an irritant on the skin.

But otherwise they aren't going to make a huge impact on your crop.

[Ryan29]

Thanks for your help. Ye they are lovely to look at. Have removed some and left some on the tree. The tree is growing fast and there are plenty of leaves left. Thanks again for the advice

[Marianne]

Grey dagger caterpillar

I have rather a lot of grey dagger caterpillars on my two year old plum tree and hoping for plums next year. Should I leave the caterpillars on my tree to have a good nibble...? If I do would it stop new growth for the coming new year? Would the grow into moth and fly away?

[Bigmallly]

Welcome to the vine Marianne. I wouldn't think they would have any bearing on next years crop.

[Marianne]

Grey dagger caterpillar

I have rather a lot of grey dagger caterpillars on my two year old plum tree and hoping for plums next year. Should I leave the caterpillars on my tree to have a good nibble...? If I do ....would it stop new growth for the coming new year? Would they grow into moth and fly away?

[Bigmallly]

I'm getting a sense of Deja Vu......................