Pest identification
What's eating my arroyo lupine?
Lupine aphid (Macrosiphum albifrons)
Signs: Dense colonies on shoot tips and undersides of leaves cause distorted, yellowing growth and sticky honeydew residue.
Control: Blast off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps.
Caterpillars / loopers
Signs: Irregular holes or skeletonised leaves; frass (droppings) visible on foliage.
Control: Hand-pick at dusk; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to foliage when larvae are small.
Slugs & snails
Signs: Ragged, irregular holes in young leaves and stems; shiny slime trails left behind, worst on seedlings.
Control: Set beer traps; scatter iron phosphate pellets around plants; remove hiding spots such as dense mulch near crowns.
Rabbits
Signs: Clean stem cuts close to the ground, particularly on young plants in spring.
Control: Install wire mesh guards or low fencing around planting areas; repellent sprays provide short-term deterrence.
Keep arroyo lupine pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Arroyo Lupine pests — FAQ
What is eating my arroyo lupine?
Arroyo Lupine is most threatened by aphids, which colonise tender growing tips en masse. Lupine aphids (Macrosiphum albifrons) are particularly destructive. Loopers and other caterpillars skeletonise leaves, while slugs chew seedlings to the ground overnight. Rabbits and deer may browse plants in gardens bordering open land.
How do I get rid of lupine aphid (macrosiphum albifrons) on arroyo lupine?
Dense colonies on shoot tips and undersides of leaves cause distorted, yellowing growth and sticky honeydew residue. Blast off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps.
How do I get rid of caterpillars / loopers on arroyo lupine?
Irregular holes or skeletonised leaves; frass (droppings) visible on foliage. Hand-pick at dusk; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to foliage when larvae are small.
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on arroyo lupine?
Ragged, irregular holes in young leaves and stems; shiny slime trails left behind, worst on seedlings. Set beer traps; scatter iron phosphate pellets around plants; remove hiding spots such as dense mulch near crowns.
How do I get rid of rabbits on arroyo lupine?
Clean stem cuts close to the ground, particularly on young plants in spring. Install wire mesh guards or low fencing around planting areas; repellent sprays provide short-term deterrence.