Important Alert for Your Garden: Check Your Viburnum and Hydrangea Shrubs for Pests!
Garden enthusiasts, it’s time to inspect your Viburnum and Hydrangea shrubs! We’ve begun to notice an uptick in pest activity that could threaten the health of these beautiful plants. Here’s what you need to look out for and how you can tackle any issues before they cause serious damage.
Viburnum Shrubs Under Threat
Identifying the Viburnum Leaf Beetle:
The photo on the left captures a close-up of the Viburnum Leaf Beetles in their larval stage, where they appear yellowish-brown with dark brown heads. One of the first signs of an infestation is the presence of oblong holes chewed through the leaves. These larvae are highly active and can be seen moving around the affected areas.
The Risk of Defoliation:
Viburnum Leaf Beetles are notorious for causing severe, and sometimes total, defoliation of Viburnum shrubs. Without timely intervention, each female beetle can mature and lay up to 500 eggs over an 8-week period, from egg to larvae to adult, by late June. These eggs overwinter and hatch the following spring. If Viburnum shrubs are attacked by this beetle over two successive seasons, they usually die, making early detection and control critical.
Hydrangea Shrubs: Signs of Infestation
Spotting the Signs on Hydrangeas:
As shown in the above photo, Hydrangea leaves that appear curled are likely under attack. The culprits could be Aphids, Lace Bugs, or, as in this case, a leafier Larval Worm. These pests are known to develop into green caterpillars with dark brown heads as the summer progresses.
The Damage Done:
These insects act quickly, and each day without control allows them to do more damage by extracting vital nutrients from the plants. If you carefully unfurl the leaves, as depicted in the photo below, you may find Larval Worms and the whitish webbing they produce.
What You Can Do
Early Detection and Treatment:
If you notice any signs similar to what’s described here or as shown in the photos, it’s crucial to act swiftly. Early detection and proper treatment can prevent these pests from causing irreversible damage to your Viburnum and Hydrangea shrubs.
Contact Tree Green MD for Help:
Not sure how to handle an infestation or need professional advice? Feel free to contact our office. Our team is ready to assist you with effective solutions to protect your garden and keep your shrubs thriving.
