Pest identification
What's eating my cornus kousa 'miss satomi'?
Dogwood sawfly (Macremphytus tarsatus)
Signs: Pale yellow-green larvae skeletonise leaves from midsummer, leaving only the midrib; severe attacks strip entire branches.
Control: Hand-pick larvae when spotted. Apply pyrethrin or spinosad spray in the evening to avoid harming pollinators.
Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Adults notch leaf margins at night; C-shaped white grubs in the root zone kill container plants by eating roots.
Control: Apply nematode drenches (Steinernema kraussei) to moist compost in autumn. Use sticky barriers on pot rims.
Deer
Signs: Browse flower bracts and soft new growth; young trees can be rubbed by antlers, damaging bark at the base.
Control: Fit tree guards or spiral wrap on young stems. Deer-repellent sprays need regular reapplication after rain.
Keep cornus kousa 'miss satomi' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats kousa dogwood — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common cornus kousa 'miss satomi' problems & fixes
- Cornus kousa 'Miss Satomi' watering schedule
- Cornus kousa 'Miss Satomi' light requirements
- Full cornus kousa 'miss satomi' care guide
Cornus kousa 'Miss Satomi' pests — FAQ
What is eating my cornus kousa 'miss satomi'?
Cornus kousa 'Miss Satomi' is generally pest-resilient but can be targeted by dogwood sawfly larvae, which skeletonise leaves, and by vine weevil on container-grown specimens. Deer occasionally browse the foliage and flower bracts. Sawfly larvae are the most damaging pest in UK and US gardens.
How do I get rid of dogwood sawfly (macremphytus tarsatus) on cornus kousa 'miss satomi'?
Pale yellow-green larvae skeletonise leaves from midsummer, leaving only the midrib; severe attacks strip entire branches. Hand-pick larvae when spotted. Apply pyrethrin or spinosad spray in the evening to avoid harming pollinators.
How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on cornus kousa 'miss satomi'?
Adults notch leaf margins at night; C-shaped white grubs in the root zone kill container plants by eating roots. Apply nematode drenches (Steinernema kraussei) to moist compost in autumn. Use sticky barriers on pot rims.
How do I get rid of deer on cornus kousa 'miss satomi'?
Browse flower bracts and soft new growth; young trees can be rubbed by antlers, damaging bark at the base. Fit tree guards or spiral wrap on young stems. Deer-repellent sprays need regular reapplication after rain.