This year I noticed that the new growth on the tips of my Vernonia noveboracensis (New York Ironweed) is bunched together and deformed. The plants are about 4 feet high and it is middle of June. When pulled apart there is a white webbing with a black center. One plant had a small gray catepillar-like larva and one had what looked to be an earwig but with an orange head. I have never seen this until this year. Any ideas?waya.gigv@gmail.com
There are a number of leaf rolling caterpillars that could explain it…not sure about the earwig with an orange head. If you have any pictures send them along to me peterb@hewitts.com