Pest identification
What's eating my arp rosemary?
Rosemary beetle (Chrysolina americana)
Signs: Metallic beetles and striped grey larvae strip foliage and flowers; damage worst from late summer through spring.
Control: Hand-pick adults and larvae into soapy water; tap plant over a sheet to dislodge them; avoid routine pesticides.
Spittlebugs / froghoppers
Signs: Conspicuous white foam blobs on stems in late spring; nymph inside sucks sap but rarely weakens healthy plants.
Control: Wash off with water — foam removal exposes nymph to desiccation; no chemical treatment required.
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied clusters on new shoot tips; honeydew; minor stunting of tender growth.
Control: Dislodge with water jet; insecticidal soap for persistent colonies.
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or pale bumps on stems; sap loss causes yellowing and twig dieback if left unchecked.
Control: Scrape off by hand; apply horticultural oil when dormant to smother overwintering scales.
Keep arp rosemary pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats rosemary — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What eats arp rosemary — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common arp rosemary problems & fixes
- Arp Rosemary watering schedule
- Arp Rosemary light requirements
- Full arp rosemary care guide
Arp Rosemary pests — FAQ
What is eating my arp rosemary?
Arp rosemary is cold-hardy but faces the same pest range as all rosemary cultivars. Rosemary beetle is the headline threat in the UK and coastal US, stripping leaves and flowers from late summer to spring. Spittlebugs are conspicuous in spring but minor. Aphids and scale insects occasionally infest new growth.
How do I get rid of rosemary beetle (chrysolina americana) on arp rosemary?
Metallic beetles and striped grey larvae strip foliage and flowers; damage worst from late summer through spring. Hand-pick adults and larvae into soapy water; tap plant over a sheet to dislodge them; avoid routine pesticides.
How do I get rid of spittlebugs / froghoppers on arp rosemary?
Conspicuous white foam blobs on stems in late spring; nymph inside sucks sap but rarely weakens healthy plants. Wash off with water — foam removal exposes nymph to desiccation; no chemical treatment required.
How do I get rid of aphids on arp rosemary?
Soft-bodied clusters on new shoot tips; honeydew; minor stunting of tender growth. Dislodge with water jet; insecticidal soap for persistent colonies.
How do I get rid of scale insects on arp rosemary?
Brown or pale bumps on stems; sap loss causes yellowing and twig dieback if left unchecked. Scrape off by hand; apply horticultural oil when dormant to smother overwintering scales.