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Are this hydrangea petiolaris and honeysuckle being eaten by vine weevils?

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  • luis_prluis_pr Posts: 123
    edited July 2021
    It does not have to be weevils or leaf cutter bees; it could be, sigh, both! :(  But those bees are good guys. The bees do not feed on the leaves though so sprays would not help control a large infestation.

    Something unusual... in my garden, the leaf cutter bees have a predilection for this one particular white rose shrub. Mind you, I do have those half moon cuts in other roses, azaleas & hydrangeas but sooo much more on this one particular rose. I guess their nest must be close to that rose or they like that shrub for some reason. I have looked from afar but not found the nest in my garden though. I normally leave them alone though.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    Last year they chose my wisteria. The year before that it was St John’s Wort. I like to think those particular plants were en vogue at the time in cutter bee circles. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited July 2021
    It'll be both as @luis_pr says .  They're particularly keen on roses.  :)
    The most visible damage in your pix isn't weevils. Adult weevils may not do any great damage as I said earlier, because it's the grubs/larvae which are the most damaging, and that's mainly to perennials, rather than woody shrubs or climbers. Heucheras are a real favourite, especially in pots. 

    I don't grow roses as I don't like them, but it would be interesting to know the reason why those seem to be a favourite with leaf cutter bees.  :)

    Great pic @JamesSB. Classic signs of leaf cutter bees  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • EustaceEustace Posts: 2,290
    To me, they look like the damage done by vine weevils. I have seen vine weevil damage  on the leaves of heucheras, hydrangeas, lilies and even roses. Nematodes have not been effective in my pots and I do not use chemicals. During the dormant season, I repot all the suspects in new compost after washing their roots and stems to get rid of the larvae.
    Oxford. The City of Dreaming Spires.
    And then my heart with pleasure fills,
    And dances with the daffodils (roses). Taking a bit of liberty with Wordsworth :)

  • Hi everybody, many thanks for your helpful advice. 

    Both the hydrangea (in a very large container) and the honeysuckle (will be planted in the ground today) are young plants, so I don’t want to take any chances. No chemicals in my garden, so I’m going to try nematodes and hand picking at night (head torch on, to have both hands free. I am going to look so cool!) 

    The bees are welcome, but the weevils will have to go. 
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    @foxglovelover You will look amazing!  I spent most nights last summer exactly like that.

    You might want to try the course grit on top of the hydrangea.  They don't like putting their bums on the grit when they lay the eggs. 
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