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  • Will trichogramma work on oak moths?

    Created by northern jim on March 2, 2010 at 5:54 am

    We live in the coastal mountains near Santa Cruz, Ca. and every spring experience the oak moths. It starts will millions of moths close to the ground which fly to the trees and lay their eggs I presume. Within weeks we have millions of oakworms falling from the trees on their single strand webs. We have to spray at that point but what a mess! I’m wondering if the trichogramma wasps will eliminate the need to spray but Planet Natural doesn’t seem to know exactly what the California oak moth is. Anyone out there have any thoughts?

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  • March 2, 2010 at 5:54 am #13990

    Cat
    Member

    Ask Mr. Lincoln at Rosecare.com we have a very similar problem down here in Santa Barbara. They were very knowledgeable and helpful!

    June 27, 2016 at 12:29 pm #202792

    Eric Vinje
    Keymaster

    Hi Jim –

    We’ve done some research on how to control California Oakworm and feel that trichogramma wasps would be very helpful for this. Adult oak moths lay eggs — in small clusters — mostly on the undersides of leaves which trichogramma will aggressively seek out and lay their eggs in. The tiny parasites then hatch inside the moth egg, consume the contents, and emerge to seek out and destroy more moth eggs. Other predators/ parasites of the California Oakworm include lacewing, pirate bugs, birds and spiders. Use Bt sprays on any caterpillars that hatch to minimize damage to the “good bugs” in your trees.

    When we kill off the natural enemies of a pest. We inherit their work!” – C.B Huffaker

    Hope this helps!

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