Pest identification
What's eating my california poppy?
Aphids
Signs: Small colonies on stems and buds; sticky honeydew and mild leaf distortion; rarely severe on this plant.
Control: Strong water spray; insecticidal soap for heavy infestations; natural predators usually provide adequate control.
Leafhoppers
Signs: Fine pale stippling on leaf surfaces from sap-sucking; leaves may look bleached or papery in heavy infestations.
Control: Reflective mulch to deter adults; insecticidal soap or pyrethrin spray; encourage predatory insects.
Blister beetles
Signs: Petals and upper leaves chewed down in clusters; adults are elongated beetles, often black or striped, which aggregate suddenly.
Control: Hand-pick with gloves (their body fluid causes skin blisters); knock into soapy water; remove by hand before numbers build.
Keep california poppy pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
California poppy pests — FAQ
What is eating my california poppy?
California poppy is one of the more pest-resistant flowering annuals — its alkaloid-rich sap deters most chewing insects. Aphids are the most likely nuisance, and leafhoppers can cause stippling. Blister beetles may feed on flowers in western US gardens. The plant generally shrugs off low-level pest pressure without treatment.
How do I get rid of aphids on california poppy?
Small colonies on stems and buds; sticky honeydew and mild leaf distortion; rarely severe on this plant. Strong water spray; insecticidal soap for heavy infestations; natural predators usually provide adequate control.
How do I get rid of leafhoppers on california poppy?
Fine pale stippling on leaf surfaces from sap-sucking; leaves may look bleached or papery in heavy infestations. Reflective mulch to deter adults; insecticidal soap or pyrethrin spray; encourage predatory insects.
How do I get rid of blister beetles on california poppy?
Petals and upper leaves chewed down in clusters; adults are elongated beetles, often black or striped, which aggregate suddenly. Hand-pick with gloves (their body fluid causes skin blisters); knock into soapy water; remove by hand before numbers build.