Saturday, December 11, 2021

Cabbage tree moth damage

 

I am sure many of you will have seen a cabbage tree with what appears to be a knotted growing tip. Gerard Kelly (HCC) thinks the top area where the cabbage tree is deformed, could be caused by cabbage tree moth larvae (Catamacta lotinana). The larvae mine the leaves and then migrate to the tips, weaving and knitting the tips together. They then eat leaves from inside out. Lower leaves showing characteristic caterpillar feeding, tips get quite frayed and could be easily spun together. If you see a cabbage tree like the one in the photo it would be worth investigating.


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