Insect probelm on my shrubs? PICTURES INCLUDED
I saw this a while a go and let it go thinking it would come back. It looks like it got worse (from my window) so I got a closer look at it and saw all the damage... it's over all the shrubs in the area. I'm thinking its bugs? Any ideas or how to remedy the problem?
- rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
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Your shrub is a viburnum. It could be flea beetle damage. But viburnums also have their own pest, the viburnum leaf beetle:
larva:
https://bugguide.net/images/cache/XKA/K5 ... KK2K8Q.jpg
adult:
https://bugguide.net/images/cache/ARF/KW ... FR0Q9R.jpg
I would do a thorough search and see if you can find your pest. It helps to know what you are dealing with. If you don't find them in the daytime, come back in the evening.
larva:
https://bugguide.net/images/cache/XKA/K5 ... KK2K8Q.jpg
adult:
https://bugguide.net/images/cache/ARF/KW ... FR0Q9R.jpg
I would do a thorough search and see if you can find your pest. It helps to know what you are dealing with. If you don't find them in the daytime, come back in the evening.
- GardeningCook
- Greener Thumb
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- rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
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- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
- GardeningCook
- Greener Thumb
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- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2015 8:35 pm
- Location: Upper Piedmont area of Virginia, Zone 7a
Those definitely look like Vibernum Leaf Beetles. Here's some info on control:
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/control-vi ... 26139.html
There's more info online - just do a search on "controlling Vibernum Leaf Beetles".
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/control-vi ... 26139.html
There's more info online - just do a search on "controlling Vibernum Leaf Beetles".
I appreciate your help.... I have some bug b gone but don't want to rid my yard of non threatening insects.GardeningCook wrote:Those definitely look like Vibernum Leaf Beetles. Here's some info on control:
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/control-vi ... 26139.html
There's more info online - just do a search on "controlling Vibernum Leaf Beetles".
- GardeningCook
- Greener Thumb
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- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2015 8:35 pm
- Location: Upper Piedmont area of Virginia, Zone 7a
- rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
I don't think insecticidal soap works very well on hard shelled beetles. They are leaf eaters, so Neem oil sprayed on the leaves should control them and it is harmless to anything that doesn't eat leaves.
For hand picking, if you come out in the early AM while it is still cool, they are slowed down. You should be able to shake the branches and they will drop down off it. Catch them in a bowl of soapy water and they will drown (eventually - they will swim around for awhile first )
That's quite an infestation. You do want to do something about it.
Best Wishes
For hand picking, if you come out in the early AM while it is still cool, they are slowed down. You should be able to shake the branches and they will drop down off it. Catch them in a bowl of soapy water and they will drown (eventually - they will swim around for awhile first )
That's quite an infestation. You do want to do something about it.
Best Wishes