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Viburnum Opulus being nibbled

Mrs GMrs G Posts: 336
in Problem solving

Just last Sunday I noticed my viburnum had a major blackfly infestation, my Grandad was over and told me to cut off all the effected soft growth tips and them which I did. Today I have noticed the 'doily effect' on lots of the new leaves and when I inspected they had these nibbly grubs on the back, I'm guessing viburnum beetle?  Last year I was a rookie where these are concerned and was more, 'ooh look at the shiny green beetle' rather than, 'die, die, die pest' what a mistake! So I have removed all the leaves with these on the back and sprayed with water containing fairy liquid.  Is this the right approach and should I now feed or would this just encourage more sappy growth for the aphids to eat? 

Posts

  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    Try this link to the RHS Mrs G, chemical control is available.

    http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=556

  • Mrs GMrs G Posts: 336

    Thanks, I don't really want to use any chemicals so I suppose I will have to try and keep on top of taking them off manually. image

  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    You could be on to a loser there, usually too many to do manually. Sometimes we have to stoop to chemicals, no matter how hard we try.

  • ShauntheSheep2ShauntheSheep2 Posts: 3

    I've had Viburnum beetle for several years making lacy doilies of the leaves.  I've tried everything, but this year they've won - the Viburnum's dead.

  • Mrs GMrs G Posts: 336

    Hopefully I've caught it in time and if I keep removing the leaves with them on the back before they become adults and breed I might get rid of them completely. 

  • ShauntheSheep2ShauntheSheep2 Posts: 3

    Keep at it.  It's a lovely shrub and worth the effort.

  • landgirl100landgirl100 Posts: 655

    You don't need to remove the leaves if you catch them before too much damage is done, just rub off the grubs. You won't get rid of all of them whatever you do, though. I patrol twice a day, so far no serious damage.

  • Mrs GMrs G Posts: 336

    I'll keep that in mind landgirl, the leaves I removed were past it so hopefully he new leaves coming through get a bit of respite. image

  • Mrs GMrs G Posts: 336

    Checked again last night and only found two grubs!  I checked every single leaf, luckily the shrub is still small. image

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