Pest identification
What's eating my blue pickerelweed?
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied colonies on stems and flower spikes; sap loss causes leaf curl and discoloration.
Control: Knock off with a strong water jet; introduce ladybirds or lacewings nearby; insecticidal soap is effective if needed.
Thrips
Signs: Silver-streaked or stippled foliage; flowers may be distorted or fail to open properly.
Control: Remove and destroy heavily affected flower spikes; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray to foliage.
Caterpillars
Signs: Irregular ragged holes chewed in leaves by moth or butterfly larvae feeding on the foliage.
Control: Hand-pick caterpillars and eggs; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray for heavy infestations.
Keep blue pickerelweed pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Blue Pickerelweed pests — FAQ
What is eating my blue pickerelweed?
Blue Pickerelweed (Pontederia azurea) is largely pest-resistant as an emergent aquatic plant. Aphids may colonise stems and foliage, and caterpillars or thrips occasionally cause leaf damage. Its wetland setting naturally limits many common garden pests, and the plant attracts beneficial predatory insects.
How do I get rid of aphids on blue pickerelweed?
Soft-bodied colonies on stems and flower spikes; sap loss causes leaf curl and discoloration. Knock off with a strong water jet; introduce ladybirds or lacewings nearby; insecticidal soap is effective if needed.
How do I get rid of thrips on blue pickerelweed?
Silver-streaked or stippled foliage; flowers may be distorted or fail to open properly. Remove and destroy heavily affected flower spikes; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray to foliage.
How do I get rid of caterpillars on blue pickerelweed?
Irregular ragged holes chewed in leaves by moth or butterfly larvae feeding on the foliage. Hand-pick caterpillars and eggs; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray for heavy infestations.