Pest identification
What's eating my choisya 'sundance'?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes and scalloped edges on soft new leaves, especially in spring and after wet weather.
Control: Hand-pick at dusk; iron phosphate pellets; dry mulch around the base to deter movement.
Glasshouse red spider mite
Signs: Pale mottling and fine stippling on leaves, particularly in warm dry summers; heavy infestations cause leaf drop.
Control: Hose down foliage to raise humidity; introduce predatory mites or use horticultural soap spray.
Capsid bug
Signs: Puckered, holey young leaves at shoot tips when the plant is in active growth.
Control: Prune out damaged tips; insecticide rarely needed on established plants.
Keep choisya 'sundance' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Choisya 'Sundance' pests — FAQ
What is eating my choisya 'sundance'?
Choisya 'Sundance' shares the pest profile of the species but its golden foliage can make it slightly more stressed in exposure, attracting spider mites in dry summers. Slugs and snails target the young growth, and capsid bugs distort shoot tips. Overall, a robust shrub; slugs are the most consistent real-world nuisance.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on choisya 'sundance'?
Holes and scalloped edges on soft new leaves, especially in spring and after wet weather. Hand-pick at dusk; iron phosphate pellets; dry mulch around the base to deter movement.
How do I get rid of glasshouse red spider mite on choisya 'sundance'?
Pale mottling and fine stippling on leaves, particularly in warm dry summers; heavy infestations cause leaf drop. Hose down foliage to raise humidity; introduce predatory mites or use horticultural soap spray.
How do I get rid of capsid bug on choisya 'sundance'?
Puckered, holey young leaves at shoot tips when the plant is in active growth. Prune out damaged tips; insecticide rarely needed on established plants.