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Rhododendron leaves are being attacked

I'm trying to identify what exactly is attacking our Rhododendron leaves. 

Last year around springtime the leaves were attacked and badly damaged with no sign of major distress to the actual plant. The problem is returning already this year and tulip shoots are also now being eaten.

I don't think this is slugs as I understand they don't like the chewy Rhododendron leaves. I have this evening found some tiny spidery like bugs crawling all over the leaves however. Is this mites? How do I get rid of them before more damage?

Any help much appreciated!

ive attached an image of some of the bugs...

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Welcome to the forum @alex.goudie9txJAoZV 😊 
    That could be damage by adult vine weevils. They will take chunks out of the edges of quite tough leaves. You can use specific nematodes later in the year when the soil is warmer. Lots of suppliers online. 

    I don’t think they’d go for tulips tho ...

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Many thanks dovefromabove. I thought Vine Weevil may be a culprit but the tulips issue seems like it would be unusual for them. We have a Japonicus El Dorado which is also susceptible to this kind of attack. 
    I'm leaning toward slugs at the moment. There's been a few around so I might try and get some bark mulch down to try and deter them.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Bark won't stop slugs and will just give them a cover to hide under and stay moist by day.

    If it is vine weevil you need to do a treatment because their larvae will be busy underground eating roots so that's a double whammy for your plants.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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