Small Grey Caterpillers

philip hathway · #1 (**permalink**) 20-06-2010, 06:25 PM

There is a large plant in the garden being stripped by at least 100 grey caterpillers. They are upto an inch long, grey smooth with a black head. Any ideas as to what they are? ( They are not Sawfly )

shenk1 · #2 (**permalink**) 20-06-2010, 06:29 PM

From that description I would actually say Solomons Seal Sawfly.

Ladywell · #3 (**permalink**) 20-06-2010, 06:35 PM

that was going to be my answer before I read the previous one!

philip hathway · #4 (**permalink**) 20-06-2010, 06:58 PM

yes!! Googled Solomons seal sawfly. That is it. Think it will kill the plant.

Thanks guys

poschiavanus · #5 (**permalink**) 20-06-2010, 07:02 PM

Actually, they're quite resilient. We have 4-5 Solomon's Seal which have had sawfly larvae on them for the last few years, and they seem to do fine. I think by the time the sawfly larvae are quite large the leaves have done most of their work for the year.

Susie · #6 (**permalink**) 20-06-2010, 08:49 PM

Same here. Solomon's seal sawfly (try saying that quickly) eat the plants here down to nearly nothing and still the plant returns the following year so I wouldn't worry about that.