Strange white growth eating young tree. - Ask Extension
I found this white growth/creature (?) on the underside of leaves on a young tree the squirrels planted in my garden. It seems devastating. What is i...
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Strange white growth eating young tree. #595266
Asked September 08, 2019, 8:00 AM EDT
I found this white growth/creature (?) on the underside of leaves on a young tree the squirrels planted in my garden. It seems devastating. What is it and what can/should I do?
Van Buren County Michigan
Expert Response
Do you know what type of tree this is (or could you get a photo of a good leaf?) Kind of hard to see by the mangled leaves. That will give us more to go on.
I'm not sure what kind of tree but I'm sending a shot of the leaves. It seems to be larvae...if you watch awhile you can see it move
I'm not sure what kind of tree but I'm sending a shot of the leaves. It seems to be larvae...if you watch awhile you can see it move
I'm not sure what kind of tree but I'm sending a shot of the leaves. It seems to be larvae...if you watch awhile you can see it move
This is the butternut wooly worm. Some interesting things on line describe it as the "cutest pest" on the planet! Here is an article that one of my colleagues wrote about the insect. Your photos are so clear...would you mind sharing them with me to use for future education? My email is <personal data hidden>.
Thank you so much! It is cute, though the poor tree surely doesn't think so. I will let it have its feast but keep an eye on it while I read up on it. Yes, I would be happy to share my photos with you! I'll send them tomorrow from my laptop at work.
Thanks again!
