Tiny white worms on tree leaves

ceridwen

newbie as I am to foodgrowing - errr....what are the tiny wriggly little white worms I've caught a few of on my fruit trees please? They look like threadworms and I'm wondering if they are what is responsible for some bits of chomping of my leaves that has happened?

(Dont know if this is related at all to some of the new leaves on my pear tree curling over - I've done the spray with water with some oil and washing-up liquid in that I was advised to and am monitoring that to see if my newest leaves look like theyre coming through okay).

(WISH that firm I bought those trees from had given me specific info JUST on the particular trees I bought - instead of loadsa fruitgrowing info - very little of which relates to what I have and it doesnt answer any of my queries....:mad:)

MOAN FOR THE DAY - I dont think some of these firms have quite clicked yet that an increasing number of people that are buying their foodgrowing products (of whatever description) are total gardening "virgins" and also busy people (without the time to constantly go off searching in loads of esoteric gardening books for dead basic info - that the firms themselves should have supplied).:mad: (but then a little hobby-ette of mine is running quick mental checks on the business practices of firms I have dealings with - and then making bets with myself as to how "viable" I think their business is or otherwise).

Think I could coin a name for those of us who are now taking to foodgrowing by necessity - be it current personal money worries on the one hand or concerns about Britains food security on the other hand. The end result is the same either way - we dont know even basic info/we just want the goods and clear step-by-step instructions......"The Great Reskilling" continues.....(gardening version)....

"Grow and Go" could be a suitable motto

Penelope_Penguin

ceridwen wrote: »

newbie as I am to foodgrowing - errr....what are the tiny wriggly little white worms I've caught a few of on my fruit trees please? They look like threadworms and I'm wondering if they are what is responsible for some bits of chomping of my leaves that has happened?

Can you post a pic, please

MOAN FOR THE DAY - I dont think some of these firms have quite clicked yet that an increasing number of people that are buying their foodgrowing products (of whatever description) are total gardening "virgins" and also busy people (without the time to constantly go off searching in loads of esoteric gardening books for dead basic info - that the firms themselves should have supplied).:mad:

I don't really see why they should, mainly because they'll charge more for including a book of all the things you need to know Gardening is like anyother skill - you need to equip yourself with information, not expect someone else to do it for you (if I buy a bike, I don't expect Halfords to give me loads of info on how to cycle, how to stay balanced, the Highway Code, etc, etc :rolleyes: )

Treat yourself to a copy of a basic gardening book - I have several of the "Expert" series by DG Hessayon. We've had them for nearly 20 years, and refer to them every year, so a great investment :T

Penny. x

Mortal

Google is you friend

I'd be interested to find out peoples thoughts on these worm creatures as it sounds like something I found on my privet last summer after a rainstorm

ceridwen

Am unable to post a picture of these worms - as I dont have a camera of any description - but they look just like threadworms - picture a half inch long strand of white cotton and thats them.

My suggestion to firms is that they provide a 1 or 2 sided A4 sheet of paper with A-Z instructions for the foodgrowing plants they sell (particularly fruit trees:rolleyes:) - cost 'em nowt other than a sheet of paper for each person choosing to take one (once they'd "done their homework" and worked out what to say on their how-to sheets). Would be a sound business move for them - help to give them an edge on the competition.

Trade Union minded as I undoubtedly am - I am also capable of seeing how businesses could improve their service/sales and am often astonished at what basic things they miss out on doing that would help their sales - and then not at all astonished when I watch their business "go to the wall" at some point (even before the current Economic Crisis).

I am astonished right now at a couple of garden plant retailers I know not selling ANY food plants at all - just bedding, etc stuff. The positions they are in too - they would make a decent bit of extra income from doing so - but hey-ho....

ceridwen

ANYONE realised what those white worms are yet purlease?

Have been out today and bought an organic garlic-based spray and sprayed that liberally over my fruit trees and hoping that will do the trick.

MRSMCAWBER

Hi ceridwen

Have googled and could they be apple ermine moth larvae?

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/eggs-larvae-and-caterpillars/26960-tiny-worms-caterpillars-apple-tree.html
Not really up on fruit trees -but its the only thing I can see..
hope it helps

ceridwen

Thanks Mrs M...had a looksee to check and dont reckon those look like the worms I spotted.

My pear tree has a few black bits on a few of the leaves and theres some holes chomped in my plum tree nearby.

Well - right now - I'll keep my fingers crossed that two lots of "natural" type things sprayed on it - first the water with oil and washing-up liquid in it and then the garlic spray stuff will do the trick. Am standing there at intervals closely examining every single leaf I can spot and squashing any white worms and some flies (of the non housefly variety) I have spotted a few of. Yuk....squeamish now at the thought....

Oh well....I guess I'll keep a watching brief so to say....