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Vinernum leaf beetle

dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
in Problem solving
I missed the chance to get rid of them as larvae and not the lovely new growth is being eaten. Besides picking them off with chopsticks, or blasting with insecticide that is harmful to beneficial insects, does anyone have other suggestions? There's a lot of it, so if I have to get rid of it, it will leave a huge gap ..

Thanks!
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  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356

  • Rob LockwoodRob Lockwood Posts: 380
    edited August 2021
    I spent much of last summer/autumn picking mine off one by one Claire, and the good news is that it worked - there were hardly any beetles or larvae this year.
    A short cut might be that the eggs are quite easy to spot, and can be cut away or sliced out of the branches, but you'd be best trying to stop them being laid in the first place by picking the adults off or squishing them!  Chopsticks ain't gonna happen though - like lily beetles, they spot you coming and drop to the floor where you can't see them (and then presumably climb back up to start again) :)
    Good luck!
  • Rob LockwoodRob Lockwood Posts: 380
    edited August 2021
    PS - the eggs look like this, and I think they tend to be laid in the current year wood growth.


    I either pruned off the affected twig or, if in older growth which would mean losing a fair bit of twiggage if I pruned, just scooped the calloused bit out with a paring knife.  Seems to have worked - my VO was completely bare by June last year, but this year I've only had to pick off a dozen or so larvae and a single adult.  I say single adult - what you really need to avoid is this: :)

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Prune right back and destroy the vegetation. It'll recover. 
    That's the simplest way, and reduces the chance of re infestation.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
    Ok, will do. Hopefully I can start again properly next year. There's a lot of it and I can't reach some parts to removed things. 
    I discovered yesterday that if you shake it, they all fall out. I can hear them falling like rain! 😫 Just need a sticky surface to stop them climbing back up again. Hehe. Right, I'll attack it tomorrow
  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
    Are there eggs this time of year?
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I pruned mine right back a few years ago but didn't get around to digging it out. It has come back to full height and disease free.  Fingers crossed😊
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
    How far back are we talking, bare? Or a few leaves, or 6" of foliage?
    Thanks
  • Rob LockwoodRob Lockwood Posts: 380
    edited August 2021
    I wondered whether to suggest shaking Claire - could you put some towels/sheets down and cart them all off to the brown bin? :)
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Mine were cut practically to ground level as I was going to dig them out. I don't know what the optimum amount to remove is.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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