The pests you really don’t want invading your garden and how to deter them By Hannah Stephenson, PA
As responsible gardeners with positive attitudes to insects and biodiversity, it’s a bitter pill to swallow when vine weevil, carrot fly and aphids take hold – let alone the processionary moth caterpillar which can cause rashes and breathing difficulties. Dr Andrew Salisbury, RHS principal entomologist, says:“We don’t want to automatically label things as pests, because as soon as you do that people think they have to control it.
“But sometimes some of the creatures in our garden do damage our plants beyond the level of damage we can accept.”
Oak processionary moth
Photo: Dr Andrew Salisbury RHS principal entomologist
The Forestry Commission has warned of a toxic caterpillar which can cause rashes and strip native oak trees of their leaves.
Salisbury explains:“The oak processionary [moth] caterpillars can cause rashes and breathing difficulties and it’s now widespread in London and some of the surrounding areas.” They are most active in June, July and August, when the caterpillars form processions up the tree trunk and create a nest of white silk. Don’t touch the hairy caterpillars as they can cause reactions.
Solution:“If you have it on an oak in your garden, you need to seek professional advice,” Salisbury warns.
An information leaflet is available through forestresearch.gov.uk.
Vine weevil
If your patio pot plant suddenly wilts and collapses, and you examine it to find there’s little root left, it’s likely to be vine weevil larvae, which are laid by the adult beetle and feed off the underground roots in autumn through to spring – often until there’s nothing left.Their favourites include
Photo: oak processionary moth caterpillars
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