Iron bark hungry grubs?

paulspeterson · 13th January 2009, 12:56 PM

Giday all. I'm new here so please bare with me. I am hoping for some advice with the follow problem.
I have a 5000m2 block with many Iron Bark trees. Two of these trees are located approx. 2 meters from our newly installed pool. For the past few weeks we have had thousands of little green balls dropping from the Iron Bark trees, onto the paving and into the pool. A real pain in the @#$!. The balls are approx. 2mm in diameter and when crushed appear to be finely chewed up leaf and smells the same as an Iron bark leaf. The two problem trees are relatively juvenile but quite tall so its difficult to see what is going on up high. The canopy appears to be thinning and the new growth appears to be getting eaten. I have attached 2 x pics. One pic shows the pool with the two problem trees to the right side. The other pic shows one of the balls along a grub that just happened to fall from the tree when I was taking the pic, and one of the balls sqaushed. The trees are quite tall so spraying the leaves is a bit difficult. I have little knowledge of trees so I would appreciate any suggestions, other that cutting down the trees! Thanks for your help... Paul

Garry Brockley · 13th January 2009, 03:06 PM

The second picture looks like a catapillar/ grub offspring of sorts im not familiar with the local fauna problems that eucs have except the stick insects that eat the euc leaves but im sure Sean or Ekka will be able to id it for you

Eric Frei · 13th January 2009, 04:45 PM

Do a Confidor drench around the tree.

Mix up the strongest ratio on the label, use liquid stuff not those tablets.

Use a 10L watering can and systematically come out from the trunk till you have done a circular area maybe 5m out. You may need many refills of that 10L can, doesn't matter, whole process is fast and cheap.

Lightly hose in or do when raining.

Repeat in 3 weeks.

That'll kill them!

Oh, buy some liquid Silica or Silicon (depends on who sells/brand etc) and add that too, makes the leaves harder to chew.

Done it · 13th January 2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galbee

The second picture looks like a catapillar/ grub offspring of sorts im not familiar with the local fauna problems that eucs have except the stick insects that eat the euc leaves but im sure Sean or Ekka will be able to id it for you

That's a Cup Moth caterpillar, stings & itches like hell. Caterpillars

Takes about a week to go away with me, some guys a bit longer. DON"T SCRATCH.

Cup moths

Garry Brockley · 14th January 2009, 08:44 AM

Thanks done it

i read through my books but couldn't find anything that exactly fitted the bill even though i have a picture of a cup moth caterpillar it is the bright coloured one.

paulspeterson · 14th January 2009, 10:24 PM

many thanks gentlemen... I am impressed by your knowledge and willingness to help. Greatly appreciated.

Sean Freeman · 14th January 2009, 10:59 PM

Just came across this thread very good responses from all

Have a quote from Judy Kings book "Pests of Trees in Queensland"

Quote:

The cup moths (family Limacodidae) include species with brightly coloured caterpillars that defoliate some Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Acacia and Lophostemon. There are many moths with brightly coloured caterpillars, but cup moth caterpillars are slug-like. The head is not visible from above and the legs are very short. The body has tubercles and processes on the dorsal surface and their number and arrangement is characteristic of each species. The caterpillars are very brightly coloured in combinations of blue, green, orange, pink, yellow, black, grey and purple, depending on species.
When disturbed they evert sharp spines from the tubercles, which can pierce the skin and deliver an extremely painful sting.

Garry Brockley · 15th January 2009, 04:21 PM

thanks sean now thats on my list to buy next month

Sean Freeman · 15th January 2009, 07:49 PM

Galbee get the cd version and load it on your pc very quick and very useful

13th January 2009, 12:56 PM	#1
paulspeterson Sappling Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Townsville, Queenland, Australia Posts: 12	Iron bark hungry grubs? Giday all. I'm new here so please bare with me. I am hoping for some advice with the follow problem. I have a 5000m2 block with many Iron Bark trees. Two of these trees are located approx. 2 meters from our newly installed pool. For the past few weeks we have had thousands of little green balls dropping from the Iron Bark trees, onto the paving and into the pool. A real pain in the @#$!. The balls are approx. 2mm in diameter and when crushed appear to be finely chewed up leaf and smells the same as an Iron bark leaf. The two problem trees are relatively juvenile but quite tall so its difficult to see what is going on up high. The canopy appears to be thinning and the new growth appears to be getting eaten. I have attached 2 x pics. One pic shows the pool with the two problem trees to the right side. The other pic shows one of the balls along a grub that just happened to fall from the tree when I was taking the pic, and one of the balls sqaushed. The trees are quite tall so spraying the leaves is a bit difficult. I have little knowledge of trees so I would appreciate any suggestions, other that cutting down the trees! Thanks for your help... Paul Attached Thumbnails

13th January 2009, 03:06 PM	#2
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Iron bark hungry grubs? The second picture looks like a catapillar/ grub offspring of sorts im not familiar with the local fauna problems that eucs have except the stick insects that eat the euc leaves but im sure Sean or Ekka will be able to id it for you Attached Thumbnails __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

13th January 2009, 04:45 PM	#3
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,991	Re: Iron bark hungry grubs? Do a Confidor drench around the tree. Mix up the strongest ratio on the label, use liquid stuff not those tablets. Use a 10L watering can and systematically come out from the trunk till you have done a circular area maybe 5m out. You may need many refills of that 10L can, doesn't matter, whole process is fast and cheap. Lightly hose in or do when raining. Repeat in 3 weeks. That'll kill them! Oh, buy some liquid Silica or Silicon (depends on who sells/brand etc) and add that too, makes the leaves harder to chew. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

14th January 2009, 08:44 AM	#5
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Iron bark hungry grubs? Thanks done it i read through my books but couldn't find anything that exactly fitted the bill even though i have a picture of a cup moth caterpillar it is the bright coloured one. __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

14th January 2009, 10:24 PM	#6
paulspeterson Sappling Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Townsville, Queenland, Australia Posts: 12	Re: Iron bark hungry grubs? many thanks gentlemen... I am impressed by your knowledge and willingness to help. Greatly appreciated.

15th January 2009, 04:21 PM	#8
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Iron bark hungry grubs? thanks sean now thats on my list to buy next month __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

15th January 2009, 07:49 PM	#9
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Re: Iron bark hungry grubs? Galbee get the cd version and load it on your pc very quick and very useful

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