Pest identification
What's eating my caryopteris incana?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling on leaves, bronze discolouration, and fine webbing on leaf undersides in hot, dry weather.
Control: Improve watering during drought; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil on undersides of leaves.
Aphids
Signs: Soft colonies on new shoot tips in spring; sticky honeydew and slight leaf curl.
Control: Knock off with a water jet; encourage natural predators; insecticidal soap if population grows.
Capsid bugs
Signs: Puckered, distorted shoot tips with small pale lesions after nymph feeding.
Control: Remove affected shoot tips promptly; contact insecticide spray if infestation spreads.
Keep caryopteris incana pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Caryopteris incana pests — FAQ
What is eating my caryopteris incana?
Common bluebeard (Caryopteris incana) is a tough, aromatic shrub with few serious pest problems. Spider mites occasionally cause stippled, bronzed foliage in dry summers. Aphids may settle briefly on new growth in spring. Its strong scent deters most browsing animals. Healthy plants in well-drained soil rarely suffer lasting pest damage.
How do I get rid of spider mites on caryopteris incana?
Pale stippling on leaves, bronze discolouration, and fine webbing on leaf undersides in hot, dry weather. Improve watering during drought; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil on undersides of leaves.
How do I get rid of aphids on caryopteris incana?
Soft colonies on new shoot tips in spring; sticky honeydew and slight leaf curl. Knock off with a water jet; encourage natural predators; insecticidal soap if population grows.
How do I get rid of capsid bugs on caryopteris incana?
Puckered, distorted shoot tips with small pale lesions after nymph feeding. Remove affected shoot tips promptly; contact insecticide spray if infestation spreads.