The Grounded Orchardist

One of the big shocks and first noticeable differences I found coming from a commercially spraying orchard background to an organic one was the caterpillar nests in the orchard. There were what looked like clumps of spider webs everywhere, very unsightly for the guests and so many they would easily decimate the tree quickly as they grew.

On the farm we started spraying at the right time to catch them in their life cycle and that kept them at bay. I never saw a nest up there.

When I came to an organic orchard there were tent caterpillar nests everywhere. I did my research and grabbed what I could by hand. They’re easy to grab, the tent makes a nice little parcel. You lose a few leaves but it’s a lot less than if you left them. It took two days and 3 wheelie bins full but it worked and I didn’t have to do it again. I probably left enough for the birds and predators etc, after all we need those to stay! It’s also worth noting that when the tent splits and the caterpillars are more mature they just drop on a single thread of silk, a bit like rhythmic gymnastics!! Inevitably you also end up covered In caterpillars…just to add to all the other bugs you’re crawling with in orchard work 🙂

…Nice!!… 🤢 A nest of caterpillars in an apple tree

Last year I came a bit late into their lifecycle so they had really got established, this year I’m on it earlier. Managing to grab them as I go about my other orchard jobs. Ripping the nests open and leaving them in the rows for predators to get them. Now this approach may not work and I may have to learn the hard way but…if it doesn’t work, I’ll just have to take them off by hand again!