Control of the Viburnum Leaf Beetle

The Viburnum family contains a huge, varied team of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and little trees that are developed as decorative crops and hardy. The leaf-shedding types provide fresh fruit and leaves, while beautiful foliage is produced by the ever-green. The U.S Division of Hardiness zones differ by species, therefore it’s essential to verify that details before selecting a Viburnum for landscaping Wilmington in your region. One frequent pest because of this plant Flagstaff is the Viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni).

Identifying Viburnum Leaf Beetle

The grownup Viburnum leaf beetles are yellow to brown in colour and roughly one fourth inch. They feed on leaves, producing huge holes that will cause defoliation. The women produce rows of cavities over the underside of twigs, where they protect them with feces and bark and lay eggs. The larvae are yellow and flat and hatch in mid-May to prey on leaves that are recently shaped .

Biological Controls

Controls of the Viburnum leaf beetle contain avoiding the larvae from pupating in the soil of the plant and introducing predatory bugs. Some helpful insects, including spined soldier bugs, lacewing larvae and lady beetles, feast upon Viburnum leaf beetle larvae. Soldier bugs and lady beetles prey on the grownups too. Placing some sort of barrier that is pest across the foot of the shrub might stop larvae from pupating because they can’t reach to do so.

Species Resistance

Some species of Viburnum are more vulnerable while the others stay resistant. Varieties to prevent contain possumhaw (V. nudum), arrowwood (V. dentatum) and cranberry bush (V. opulus). However, you can find resistant alternatives including Korean spice (V. carlessii) for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4 though 7 and Judd’s Viburnum (V. x juddii) for zones 5 through 9; these types also create aromatic blooms.

Insecticides

Insecticides are available to to manage the Viburnum leaf beetle, however they also destroy beneficial insects that help combat from the pests. Other techniques, including natural pesticides and soaps, can help without harming advantageous bugs, manage the Viburnum leaf beetle. When when utilizing pesticides, when larvae are current, it’s always best to to spray it, as it’s less efficient when applied to grownups and eggs. While larvae are obvious the most readily useful time to spray the shrub is from late April to early Might.