caterpillers

[thegreen]

i have a hawthorn and every year it gets infested with a multicoulored caterpiller what can i do about it ,i was thinking of pulling it up

[Ethel]

Why on earth would you want to do that?

Caterpillars turn into butterflies, and as long as they are eating the hawthorn and the hawthorn is still healthy, leave well alone.

[snow.maiden]

Keep it! By pulling it up, you're destroying part of the food chain. x

[landscaper2]

I'd go with that - unless they are of the Brown Tail moth, which can be a real problem to all.....and your local council may like to know. They overwinter in tight cobweb like pockets and this is the time to get rid ie cut them out, put them in a bag and burn them! This site may be of interest. http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?requ est=c1001067