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Green Striped Caterpillars on Birch: Luna Moth Larvae

Large Green Caterpillars = Luna Moth

Description matches luna moth caterpillars: green, white/yellow stripes, orange head/feet, 1.5–2 in. They feed on birch, walnut, sweetgum, etc. Never cause significant damage.

Control (If Desired)

Bt for small larvae.
Orthene for large ones.
Usually unnecessary—natural enemies regulate populations.

Torching is harmful to tree. Tolerate or hand-pick.

Trees: Diagnosing Bark Peeling and Leaf Loss in Birch Trees; Purple Birch Transplant Recovery: Addressing Wire Basket and Watering Mistakes; Starting a Catalpa Worm Population on Your Trees; Birch Defoliation by Caterpillars: To Spray or Not?; Boosting Catalpa Worm Populations and Managing Ants; River Birch Defoliated by Caterpillars: Identify, Spray Now, Prevent Next Year; Heritage River Birch Slow to Leaf After Late Freeze in Nebraska; Hollow Birch Trunk: Decay Fungus, Tree Still Healthy; Borers in Dying Willow: Wire Probing and Systemic Insecticide; Catalpa Tree Borers: Bronze Birch Borer Likely—Trunk Spray Required

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