Pest identification
What's eating my autumn olive?
Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica)
Signs: Adults skeletonise leaves between veins, leaving a lacy appearance; group feeding can defoliate whole branches.
Control: Hand-pick adults into soapy water in the morning; use pheromone traps away from the plant; apply neem oil spray as a deterrent.
Aphids
Signs: Soft colonies on tender new growth cause slight leaf distortion and sticky honeydew.
Control: Water jet or insecticidal soap; aphid pressure on this tough shrub is rarely severe enough to need more.
Deer
Signs: Browse young foliage and twigs in winter and early spring, slowing establishment.
Control: Tree guards or deer fencing during the first two years; established plants quickly outgrow serious deer pressure.
Keep autumn olive pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Autumn Olive pests — FAQ
What is eating my autumn olive?
Autumn Olive is notably resilient to most pests. Aphids occasionally colonise shoot tips, Japanese beetle adults skeletonise leaves, and deer browse young plants. It is generally not targeted by serious disease or insect pests, which partly explains its invasive success. Japanese beetle is the most noticeable pest where present.
How do I get rid of japanese beetle (popillia japonica) on autumn olive?
Adults skeletonise leaves between veins, leaving a lacy appearance; group feeding can defoliate whole branches. Hand-pick adults into soapy water in the morning; use pheromone traps away from the plant; apply neem oil spray as a deterrent.
How do I get rid of aphids on autumn olive?
Soft colonies on tender new growth cause slight leaf distortion and sticky honeydew. Water jet or insecticidal soap; aphid pressure on this tough shrub is rarely severe enough to need more.
How do I get rid of deer on autumn olive?
Browse young foliage and twigs in winter and early spring, slowing establishment. Tree guards or deer fencing during the first two years; established plants quickly outgrow serious deer pressure.