Something has been nibbling at my bush

THURSDAY

I was working from home today and noticed that the Berberis bush at the side of the drive was completely devoid of leaves save for a few right at the very top.

On closer inspection I noticed lots of creamy white caterpillars feasting on the little remaining foliage. An internet search identified them as sawfly larvae. 

Sawflies are in the same group of insects as bees, ants and wasps (Hymenoptera). The caterpillar-like larvae develop into fly-like winged insects.

This species of sawfly did not appear in the UK until 2000. They will only feed on two plants Berberis and Mahonia. 


The RHS are currently monitoring the prevalence of the sawfly.