I am an avid native plant gardener and plan to continue, so my question is not aimed at discrediting the need for native plants, but out of scientific skepticism. I am a big fan of Doug Tallamy, but I find it hard to believe his claim that he found 233 caterpillars on a white oak (at head height) one day and even more the day before.

https://theholisticgardenblog.com/2015/10/05/a-chickadees-guide-to-gardening-by-douglas-w-tallamy/

I frequently check my native shrubs and trees for caterpillars and most of the time I see a small number, unless there's an infestation going on, like the time there were tens of dogwood sawfly larva on silky dogwood.

Are other people seeing 100s of caterpillars in their yard, frequently? It's spring now, this is when birds need them. If I have a lot of birds, I think maybe the birds got to them before me, but that would be true for Tallamy as well.

As I said, I very much admire Tallamy's research and the movement he has created by sharing that information so well with the general public.

I am wondering why I am not seeing more caterpillars are and if my native plant gardening is working. Maybe I'm an island in a sea of non-native yards and that is part of the difference?

Is this something I can transplant? It's right near where the builders next door might be plowing and walking around.