What's eating my emerald n gold euonymus?

Emerald 'n' Gold Euonymus is as vulnerable to euonymus scale as its sibling cultivar Emerald Gaiety — scale is the single most damaging pest, capable of killing plants. Euonymus caterpillar can defoliate plants under silk tents. Aphids and vine weevil are common secondary problems. Regular monitoring in spring is essential.

Dense white and brown scale encrustation on stems and leaf undersides; yellow spotting, branch dieback, eventual plant death Horticultural oil in late winter; follow up with insecticidal spray targeting crawlers in late spring; prune and dispose of infested branches

Dense white silk webbing tents over shoots; caterpillars skeletonize foliage rapidly within the tent Prune out silk tents early; spray young caterpillars with Bt; avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizing which promotes lush, attractive growth

Sticky honeydew on leaves; curled or distorted new growth; sooty mold on heavily infested plants Dislodge with water spray; insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; avoid over-fertilizing

Notched leaf margins at night from adults; cream larvae eat roots causing wilting and collapse Apply nematodes to moist soil in late summer; place sticky traps around stems to catch adults at night