Viburnum: Viburnum leaf beetle

• Categories: Ornamentals Shrubs Viburnum Viburnum Insects
• Last review date: 2026-08-28 01:29

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

See "Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the Landscape" for successful problem management techniques.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• 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.

Chemical Management

• 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.

Approved Pesticides

If you choose to use a pesticide, some examples of products that are legal in Washington are listed below. Some products are labeled for just INDOOR or just OUTDOOR use, or may allow both uses. Be sure to choose a product appropriate for your situation. Always read and follow all label directions.

• Bioadvanced SBS Vegetable and Garden Insect Spray RTU
  Active ingredient: cyfluthrin
  EPA registration number: 92564-17
• This list may not include all products registered for this use.