May 25, 2006
Not Quite a Plague of Locusts, But Close
the wisteria
is wormy
the only crop
that ever
grasped
the trellis
firmly
flourishing
finally
finely
thirty years
of roses
withering
clematis
sweet peas
morning glory
failing all
to grasp
the task
finally
at longest last
a bumper vine
looping tendrils
cast in air
dripping
purple
promises
spoiled by
scoundrel
pale moon
moths
all the way
from China
who have
hatched
their young
to munch
and suck
the fragrant
flowers
of my truimph
Photo note: Here's a photo of the winter moth whose larvae ate all my wisteria, my flowering cherry tree, and at least two maples. The moths were all over my screens this winter. Now their offspring are all over the 'hood. I discovered the extent of their invasion when greeted at the door of a house warming party by the six year old son of my new neighbors, who proudily held a bowl of green worms up to me, as if passing tarts. A real ice breaker. The worms were all over the patio, and the green canopy above was almost eaten clean. Several other neighbors at the party reported that they had had their trees sprayed with a non toxic oil -- evidently the worms prefer their leaves without dressing, Being from China, the voracious little critters evidently do not have a natural predator in the area. It was suggested to me that I mix a few green worms with my birdseed to help the local birds expand their palates. Ironically, China is having a similar problem - the joys of globalization.
Oh - the poor struggling wisteria
lovely poem generated by it's plight.
We have something as yet unidentified eating just one of our viburnums, the others are flourishing (and this one was also) but now this poor thing has nearly been stripped of its leaves.
Hi End --
I was just informed by my arborist (I guess I now have one) that it's too late for larval intervention -- they metamorphized two days ago. Time to implode nutrients into the trees so they'll get a second growth of leaves this season. Two denuded seasons in a row, and a tree is a goner. This must be true for virburnum too. Thought I'd pass it along.
Best D
Posted by: Dakota at May 26, 2006 07:55 PM