Caterpillars and trees

[Barmaid]

We have a number of trees in the garden of different varieties. Over the last couple of week we have noticed large clumps of caterpillars on the trunks of two of them. There are a hundred or so all nestling together. They are black with brown hairs. My bf is tempted to squash them and although they are doing a bit of leaf damage to one tree, the other seems unaffected. What are they likely to be and should we dispose of them?

TIA.

[redman41]

They will be ideal food for the Birds whilst they are feeding their chicks at this time of the year Barmaid. They will soon be consumed, well most of them anyway.....

[Barmaid]

Sadly Redman, with four cats in our garden, I rather suspect the birds will become food themselves. Although three of them are actually too lazy to hunt. I suppose I could feed them to the goslings on the lake.

[boxtops]

Can you identify them here barmaid http://www.discoverli.../q?guide=Caterpillars

You can then find out if they are worth protecting (eg if they are rare) or whether they are a common species. Not that this makes a difference to the caterpillar, they still want to complete their lives!!

[Barmaid]

That's useful boxtops, thanks. I haven't found them yet but will keep looking. Have persuaded bf not to squish them until I can identify what they are. Like you say, if they are rare, I would rather protect them.

[beeseejay]

The is an article in the Mail today about caterpillars that have invaded the Isle of Wight. Euproctis chrysorrhoea, nasty breed that cause allergies and asthma. I hope that it is not these you have!

[modeller]

I had a similar infestation a couple years back. There were thousands of them hanging
on spider web strands. They were eating the willow leaves however they diappeared a week later and the tree didn't suffer.