CORBIE caterpillars are likely to become a major garden pest this winter, according to Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment entomologist Lionel Hill.

Mr Hill said unless severe weather kills the eggs being laid by moths or kills the young caterpillars early next month, large caterpillars could be abundant by August.

Corbies eat grass, clover and seed heads and when dense numbers are living in an area they can cause major damage to gardens and lawns.

Mr Hill said many moths in February does not necessarily lead to many large caterpillars in September because of the huge mortality from weather and natural enemies. But the number of corbies caught in a light trap in Devonport recently indicated numbers are rising.

Eggs develop through March and hatch in April. In May, the young caterpillars are still feeding on the surface and have not dug tunnels. They can be spot-sprayed at this stage.

By June they have dispersed to individual tunnels and broad-acre spraying may become necessary and is best done at dusk when the caterpillars are most likely to feed and ingest the poison on the grass foliage.

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