Caterpillars

[eljer]

hello

I live in north central florida. It is dry and very little humidity.
We have been plagued with these
catepillars/worms that are in our oak trees (not live oak trees, I think
they are called swamp or scrub oaks). The creatures were unseen for a
few weeks, however, it sounded like it was raining, but there was no
water, but the ground was getting covered with orange dots (worm poop).
They are eating the leaves off the trees.

Then we got these shinny green beetles, that turned out to be eating the
caterpillars (but not enough!). The beetle disappeared two days ago,
and the pooping has stopped, but it's raining caterpillars. They're
falling out of the trees, and they seem to be trying to dig in the
ground ( guess to lay eggs and come back in another few years to taunt
us again).

They are two colors, one is black, and the other is a brownish. They
are about 2.5" long.

HELP - what can we do to stop the infestation?

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

They are probibly trying to pupate and overwinter to become moths in the sumer.

If this is the case then control will be only partial this year. You can use soap, oil, tobaco, sevin what or ever is labled for these pests.

Take them in to an ag extention for identification so you jnow when to do controls next year. Damage will be less if they are treated for when young.

When using pesticieds, read the label. For it is the law.