Thread: Starting to get a few on 1 of my trees!!

Originally Posted by Chuck Adams

Not that I will ever do it, but do have to blanch them in hot water first or just throw them in the freezer. Interested in your method and any others too.
Thanks
Chuck


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Gallon bag with cornmeal and then into the freezer. Once frozen I pick them back out of the cornmeal and store in quart freezer bags. I fish them on pool noodle catfish jugs. They make fine bait. Earlier this year I set a string of jugs out. Frozen catalpa worms, fresh bream heads, and fresh skipjack. The worms wom hands dowm. They stay on the hook very well. When using them fresh I pinch the head off. There is a hard spot on the butt of the worm, I put the point on the hard spot and roll the worm inside out onto the hook then push the hard spot over the barb of the hook. When frozen I slide the on as you normally would do a worm. Some youngens, canoes, catfish jugs and some head lamps will get you a night of fun. With the added benefits of a fish fry later on

Originally Posted by Chuck Adams

Bob,
No apology needed brother.
I torch those tent caterpillars too.
They flat out kill several types of trees around here. Noticed them in wild cherry but sure they aren’t limited to that kind.
Catalpa worms are only found in catalpa trees and I’ve noticed they don’t seem to be in the trees that have cigars.
I did read that wasps lay their eggs on the backs of catalpa worms which causes the worm to die.
Not a whole lot known about them that I have read.
Thanks
Chuck


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That worm that has the wasp eggs in it looks like it has rice growing out of its back. Darn strange sight when you first see it.

I have seen where the WASP lay eggs on the worms on my trees many times. Usually happens later in the year around July August time frame when I get the last infestation. What I've read on them when those eggs hatch the larvae feed on the worm until the worm dies. Not that it helps any it all but when I see this I tried to pick those eggs off of worms which will hopefully allow them to get a little bit fatter before I put them in the cornmeal

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From what I understand they will not live long enough to turn into a sphinx moth and start the cycle over. If they are going to be used as bait it doesn't really matter. I usually toss those with the eggs to the chickens. They make short work of it. It is pretty neat to watch the worms once mature at daylight they march down the tree trunk and burrow into the ground

A few are showing up on my trees as well they seem to be later this year.

I went this evening and nothing here in Tennessee yet. I haven't seen any egg clusters under the leaves either. I really need to plant a few more trees. If for no other reason than to watch the wife break dance when she gets under the tree and one drops down on her and starts crawling around

I planted some trees but have never had a worm . Was told to transplant some but do not know of any in the New Albany area .

I understand you have to get a tree started so to speak. I figure they will take care of that themselves if the trees were close enough. I know you can buy the worms from bait shops online. That may be a way to get some to start your trees. I have not checked but a man may be able to viy the sphinx moth to get them started. The worm is the larvae stage of the moth. They lay the egg clusters under the leaves of the trees.