What's eating my aucuba japonica crotonifolia?

Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' is a robust, largely pest-resistant shrub. Aphids — particularly the foxglove aphid — are the most commonly reported pest, colonising leaf undersides and causing puckered growth and sooty mold. Vine weevil can be an issue in containers. Deer and rabbits generally avoid it due to its tough, bitter foliage.

Clusters on leaf undersides cause puckered, distorted growth; sticky honeydew deposits lead to sooty mold on leaves below. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators. Jet water to dislodge small infestations.

Adults notch leaf margins; grubs eat roots in autumn and winter, causing sudden wilting particularly in container-grown plants. Apply nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) to moist compost in late summer. Inspect roots when repotting.

Armoured or soft scale on stems and leaf undersides weaken growth over time; honeydew fosters black sooty mold. Remove physically or apply horticultural oil during the crawler stage; hard prune heavily infested branches.