They say that appearances are sometimes deceiving. This is also the case with the small caterpillar, Soskonaz pine, which has reappeared in Czech gardens. What can you expect from him?
Having an older pine tree or a pine tree in your garden is sometimes quite risky. Especially when some pest takes the trees for granted. Recently, the occurrence of Sosnokaze pine (Panolis flammea) has increased in forests.
At first glance, it is a rather cute butterfly with a brownish head and reddish-brown wings decorated with whitish waves. What’s the matter, among moths it is a relatively big handsome man, but also a big thief and a pest that ravages Czech (and also European) forests.
The author of the video, Karel Filip, will introduce you to Sosnokaze pine. More on the channel YouTube.com.
Source: Youtube
It survives frost
If you find this butterfly in your garden, you have the honor of having a pretty big enemy. Sosnokaz is fierce and once it settles somewhere, it is often difficult to drive it out. Its females lay their fertilized eggs on the underside of the needles where they are safe and close to food sources.
For the “new generation” of Sosnokaz, conifers are one big buffet. They enjoy its buds, needles, fresh shoots, so that after a while they fall to the ground, pupate there and survive the harsh winter. Exactly! Sosnokaz has a tough root, and believe me, it will not burn even the frost.
Spring with new strength
Then when spring comes, the pest strikes with its great destructive power. “Sosnokaze caterpillars don’t have many natural enemies,” says the gardener and explains why: “They have hairs on their bodies that are a very strong allergen. That’s why, for example, birds don’t eat them at all. The only ones who occasionally attack them are more aggressive types of beetles such as the Calosoma sycophanta or some types of bugs, such as Nabis apterus. The older caterpillars of the pine beetle sometimes get “a good fight from the pine beetle (Ernestia rudis), which is one of the few that can really spin them around.”
Natural weapon – hair!
“If you come across pine beetle caterpillars, never pick them up! The hairs that caterpillars have on their body can cause you a lot of complications. From skin rashes to sore throats, breathing difficulties, eye problems, but also an outright allergic reaction,” the expert warns, adding that under no circumstances should you touch the nests or remove them yourself. It is also important to protect children and domestic animals from Sosnokaz pine, for whom such an encounter could be fatal.
Spraying as the only chance
The most effective way to get Sosnokaze out of your tree (and therefore garden) is to contact a professional who will repel the pest with chemical sprays. It is important to know that the Sosnokaz is not only fixated on pine, but also likes to enjoy other trees such as spruce, fir or larch. Therefore, do not leave anything to chance and have the other stands checked as well. As they say, the devil – that is, the Sosnokaz pine – never sleeps. So that he doesn’t unnecessarily surprise you.
Resources: https://zahradkarskaporadna.cz, http://www.silvarium.cz
