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I have a lot of Solomon seal which i have had  for 15 years with no pest problem.Suddenly it is devastated with a Grey/Blue smooth Caterpilla (no other markings) Does anyone know what this is,and do they live on anything else.

See the gooseberry sawfly thread. They LOVE Solomans Seal. Plus lots of other ornanmentals, Aruncus inparticular.

I don't think it's gooseberry sawfly as that's green; it sounds much more like the similar Solomon's seal sawfly.

Thank you, i think that's what it must be as they  have  caused such a lot of damage in a short time.

Thanks Rob, I'd always assumed they were the same thing, they squish just the same!
;D

ooo, good timing reading this thread.  One of the gardens I work in has a lovely clump of solomons seal which I long for and have been told I can take some come autum.  Today I noticed it looking scruffy, and on closer inspection, TRILLIONS of catterpillars!  AAGGHH!!!  Fortunately they are avid bird feeders and there were loads of birds in the garden so fingers crossed they will take the population away to feed their young.

Don't just rely on the birds, squash the buggers!