Question From:
Davbid in Mountain creek, Buderim QLD
Nature of problem:
Ornamental gum (summer beauty ) all leaves stripped of one the neibouring gum has lines of grubs eating leaves
Type of Plant (if known):
Summer beauty ornamental gum
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
Leave all eaten
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
Clay
How often do you water the plant:
When it rains
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
4
What type of plant is it:
Ornamental gum
How long since you planted it:
18 months
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
No
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
Out door
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
Ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
Sprayed with confidore
Upload photo if available:
Other Comments:
Answer: Hi is it David or Davbid? I guess that you might have Processionary Caterpillars….they are the hairy brown ones. They have stinging hairs which cause abortions in pregnant horses, sheep goats etc if these grazers eat grass with these caterpillars on it (More info is on the Burkesw Backyard websire). Confidor is no good for controlling caterpillars AND it is on my Naughty List as it is suspected of being the major cause of bee colony collapse disorder.
