What's eating my field elm bonsai?

Field Elm bonsai share the elm family's vulnerability to aphids and elm leaf beetles. Aphids distort and curl foliage; elm leaf beetles skeletonize leaves in summer. Gall-forming aphids can cause tight leaf rolling. Scale and spider mites are secondary concerns. Elm bonsai are generally resilient — inspect leaf undersides from late spring.

Leaf curling, puckering, and tight rolling around colonies; sticky honeydew and sooty mold; some species form visible leaf galls Blast off with water; insecticidal soap or neem oil for persistent colonies; check undersides of leaves and gall-free shoots regularly

Adults chew holes in spring leaves; larvae skeletonize the underside of leaves, leaving a brown, papery appearance Hand-pick adults and egg clusters from leaf undersides; spray with neem oil or pyrethrin-based insecticide at first sign of larvae

Waxy shells on bark and stems, sticky honeydew, sooty mold, and gradual shoot dieback Apply horticultural oil in late winter (dormant spray); scrape off visible colonies; repeat summer oil application if needed