WSU Extension

Hortsense

Viburnum
 
Disease
Bacterial blight (Leaf spot) 
Leaf spot 
Powdery mildew 
Ramorum leaf and shoot blight (Sudden oak death) 
Shoot blight (Gray mold) 
Insect
Bean aphids 
Root weevils 
Viburnum leaf beetle 



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Caption: Viburnum leaf beetle larvae and damage
Photo by: T. Murray
  
Viburnum : Viburnum leaf beetle
(revision date: 3/22/2021)


Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Biology
Viburnum leaf beetles overwinter as eggs on the previous year's new stems. Larvae hatch in spring and begin to feed on the new viburnum leaves. Larvae are pale yellow to pale green with black dots and are about 1/4 inch long when mature. Larvae crawl down the stems of the bushes to pupate in the soil in June. Adults emerge in July and feed again on the foliage. Adults are bronze colored beetles about 1/4 inch long. Both the larvae and adults eat holes in leaves, leaving only the leaf veins. High populations can defoliate bushes twice in one year. Multiple years of feeding can kill some bushes.
Management Options


Non-Chemical Management
  • Prune out egg infested twigs during winter months.
  • Hand-pick and kill emerging larvae.
  • Apply sticky barrier on the trunk to trap and kill mature larvae as they migrate down the bush.
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

Larvae should be managed just after egg hatch. Time insecticide treatment to target young larvae. An additional treatment may be needed. Homeowners should not make foliar applications to trees over 10 ft tall. Consult a commercial pesticide applicator for treatment of trees and shrubs over 10 ft. tall.

Listed below are examples of pesticides that are legal in Washington. Always read and follow all label directions.
  • Bayer Advanced Vegetable & Garden Insect Spray RTS
    Active ingredient: cyfluthrin  |  EPA reg no: 72155-39
  • This list may not include all products registered for this use.
Images

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Caption: Viburnum leaf beetle larvae and damage
Photo by: T. Murray
Caption: Viburnum leaf beetle
Photo by: J.R. Glass
Caption: Viburnum leaf beetle damage
Photo by: J.R. Glass