Caterpillars: how to recognise damage?
Damage caused by caterpillars can be recognised by leaves with nibbled holes or curled tips. This is traditionally seen in late summer and autumn. However, in recent years caterpillars have also been seen at the start of the growing season.
How to prevent (further) damage?
There are many different methods available for stopping greedy caterpillars. A single caterpillar is easily removed by hand. In case of a plague more severe measures are required. The bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis can be used as a natural pest control. This bacteria ensures that the caterpillar stops eating and dies. It is even better to make sure that you do not have any caterpillars in the first place. You should therefore look for any butterfly eggs on the higher leaves.
About caterpillars
Caterpillars are the larvae of butterflies. They are fairly inconspicuous animals, but some species play a large role in our daily lives and are generally well-known. Examples include the silkworm and the oak processionary caterpillar. Caterpillars are ecologically important. Not only do they eat enormous quantities of vegetation, they also serve as prey for many different animals.
