Winter moth caterpillars are responsible for eating holes in the
leaves of many deciduous trees and shrubs during spring. What
are winter moth caterpillars? Winter moth caterpillars eat holes
in the leaves, blossom and developing fruitlets of many tree
fruits, ornamental trees and shrubs. Severe attacks can weaken
plants. Extensive damage to fruit trees can affect crop yields
and quality. The main fruit trees attacked are apples, pears,
plums and cherries. Many ornamental trees are attacked as well,
including oak, sycamore, hornbeam, beech, dogwoods, hawthorns,
Sorbus, roses, hazels and elms. You may see the following
symptoms: - Attacks by winter moth caterpillars are usually
first noticed in spring when emerging leaves are loosely bound
together with silk threads and eaten - The damage is
particularly noticeable in mid-summer when the leaves are fully
expanded and the small holes made during the spring have
enlarged due to leaf growth - Blossom and developing fruitlets
can also be damaged - Early damage on