What's eating my compacta holly?

Compacta Holly shares the same pest profile as other Japanese hollies. Holly leafminer is the most damaging, leaving visible mines in leaves. Southern red mites cause seasonal bronzing. Scale insects can build up on stems and black vine weevil larvae will attack roots, weakening or killing plants.

Yellow-brown winding or blotch mines inside leaves, disfiguring foliage by summer Remove mined leaves; apply imidacloprid soil drench in early spring before adult flies emerge and lay eggs

Bronzed, stippled upper leaf surfaces; worst in spring and autumn during cool periods Spray horticultural oil in early spring before populations explode; use miticide if populations are severe

White or grey encrusted bumps on stems and leaves; yellowing foliage and stunted growth Scrub light infestations off with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil in late spring when crawlers are active

Scalloped notches on leaf margins at night from adults; root damage from larvae causing wilting Apply beneficial nematodes to soil in late summer; check under mulch for C-shaped larvae and remove by hand