What's eating my hawthorn?

Hawthorn is attacked by hawthorn webber moth caterpillars, aphids, and woolly aphid on branches. Hawthorn leaf miner causes blotchy leaves. Birds eat berries freely but cause no serious harm. Hawthorn webber moth is the most visually dramatic and damaging insect pest, capable of defoliating entire sections of hedge.

Larvae spin dense silken webs over branches and consume the leaves within, causing scorched, brown patches on hedges. Cut out and destroy webbed clusters by hand in early summer before adults emerge; encourage parasitic wasps; pyrethrin as a last resort on accessible branches.

Tightly curled, distorted leaves on shoot tips in spring; heavy infestations stunt new growth. Water jet to dislodge colonies; insecticidal soap spray; promote natural enemies — ladybirds, hoverflies, and lacewings.

Blister or corridor mines inside leaves give a blotched, papery appearance by late summer. Collect and dispose of fallen leaves in autumn to break the life cycle; no spray is effective once larvae are inside leaves; damage is mostly cosmetic.

White waxy wool on stems and branches concealing colonies; causes swollen, distorted bark and dieback. Scrub colonies off with a stiff brush dipped in insecticidal soap; encourage parasitic wasp Aphelinus mali; prune out severely affected wood.