Caterpillar on Willow

Farplace · #1 (**permalink**) 29-09-2011, 05:05 PM

This little chaps are enjoying my corkscrew willow sapling. Can anyone tell me what they are?

shenk1 · #2 (**permalink**) 29-09-2011, 05:36 PM

With that black head could it be a type of Sawfly?

poschiavanus · #3 (**permalink**) 29-09-2011, 05:37 PM

These are sawfly larvae, one of the Willow Sawflies Nematus spp. - Lesser Willow Sawfly N. pavidus is probably the most common. The patterns of black blotches on the sides of the abdominal segments are most useful for ID, but these need a good close-up view.

Stuart Dunlop's Donegal Hedgerow blog has lots of information on these creatures. He's been following one population for several years.

They'll strip the willow fairly quickly too!

Farplace · #4 (**permalink**) 29-09-2011, 05:41 PM

Thanks folks. If I let them eat my willow, will it survive over winter? It's a nice tree, currently only about 5ft tall, and I am rather attached to it.

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 29-09-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farplace

Thanks folks. If I let them eat my willow, will it survive over winter? It's a nice tree, currently only about 5ft tall, and I am rather attached to it.

Your willow will be fine + produce plenty of leaves next spring- many insects feed on willow +have co-existed for millenia.