Pest identification
What's eating my american hazelnut?
Filbertworm (Cydia latiferreana)
Signs: Entry holes in developing nuts; internal kernel eaten by cream-coloured caterpillar; premature nut drop
Control: Apply spinosad or kaolin clay at petal fall and repeat every 2 weeks; collect and destroy fallen nuts; use pheromone traps to monitor adult flight
Hazelnut aphid (Myzocallis coryli)
Signs: Yellowing and curling of leaves; sticky honeydew; vectors eastern filbert blight fungal spores between shrubs
Control: Strong water sprays to dislodge colonies; encourage lacewings and ladybirds; insecticidal soap for heavy infestations
Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica)
Signs: Skeletonised leaves with only veins remaining; clusters of beetles feed in hot sunny weather
Control: Hand-pick into soapy water in the morning; neem oil spray; do not use pheromone bag-a-bug traps near the shrub — they attract more beetles than they catch
Squirrels and deer
Signs: Squirrels strip entire nut crop before maturity; deer browse and snap young stems in winter
Control: Plant multiple shrubs to overwhelm squirrel pressure; use wire trunk guards and temporary fencing around young plants in winter
Keep american hazelnut pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
American Hazelnut pests — FAQ
What is eating my american hazelnut?
American hazelnut's biggest enemies are filbertworm moth larvae that destroy nuts, and eastern filbert blight fungus spread by aphids. Deer browse new shoots heavily, and squirrels steal nearly every ripe nut before harvest. Japanese beetles skeletonise foliage during summer.
How do I get rid of filbertworm (cydia latiferreana) on american hazelnut?
Entry holes in developing nuts; internal kernel eaten by cream-coloured caterpillar; premature nut drop Apply spinosad or kaolin clay at petal fall and repeat every 2 weeks; collect and destroy fallen nuts; use pheromone traps to monitor adult flight
How do I get rid of hazelnut aphid (myzocallis coryli) on american hazelnut?
Yellowing and curling of leaves; sticky honeydew; vectors eastern filbert blight fungal spores between shrubs Strong water sprays to dislodge colonies; encourage lacewings and ladybirds; insecticidal soap for heavy infestations
How do I get rid of japanese beetle (popillia japonica) on american hazelnut?
Skeletonised leaves with only veins remaining; clusters of beetles feed in hot sunny weather Hand-pick into soapy water in the morning; neem oil spray; do not use pheromone bag-a-bug traps near the shrub — they attract more beetles than they catch
How do I get rid of squirrels and deer on american hazelnut?
Squirrels strip entire nut crop before maturity; deer browse and snap young stems in winter Plant multiple shrubs to overwhelm squirrel pressure; use wire trunk guards and temporary fencing around young plants in winter