hi there
I found this creature eating and living off the sap of this plant (I think it is a Bay Tree/bush)
It blends in well with the leaf it is sitting on.
Any idea what it may be?
Another two smaller ones where found on another leaf on the same bush.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Hi Kathy
That's so weird. it looks like the edge of the leaf has folded over. Is there anything between the folds, or is it just a thick growth on the leaf that looks like it has folded over?
Best wishes Chris
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Hi chris
It is weird
Yes, there is something in the fold of the leaf in the green pod
It is a tiny light green caterpillar looking thing - very small at the moment and determined to hide in the fold of the leaf for safety
This is the best picture I could get
Wonder what it is?. The bush is full of the same thing on a lot of leaves.
It must be an invasion of some sort.
Hi Blackbird - after a little investigation i think this may be the work of the caterpillar of the tortrix moth, which can attack a variety of plants - they are small and green and fold leaves over in exactly the way you describe to protect themselves - they are apparently a problem with fruit crops, as they'll also eat though fruit,(sometime known as the summer fruit moth) but not as much in gardens, although they will munch your bay leaves! A little more information here
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Hi LRB
Thank you for your answer
Interesting Moth species. Sounds like a gardeners nightmare. It looks like an invasive type of moth. Funnily, I have a small Pear Tree in my current garden. So I can see this Tree being the target of this moth.
Just had a look at the Pear tree and it looks okay. I will be leaving this current property next Saturday so hopefully the next garden will not have the same 'Moth' species.