Pest identification
What's eating my leatherleaf viburnum?
Viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni)
Signs: Larval feeding skeletonizes leaf tissue between veins; adult beetles add ragged holes through summer on new growth
Control: Remove egg-tipped twig ends in winter; apply spinosad or pyrethrin-based spray to young larvae in spring
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew and sooty mold on upper leaf surfaces; colonies cluster on soft shoot tips in spring
Control: Strong water jets dislodge colonies; insecticidal soap or neem oil applied at dusk avoids harming pollinators
Scale insects
Signs: Flat or domed waxy bumps on stems and leaf midribs; yellowing foliage, reduced vigour, and honeydew build-up on leaves below
Control: Scrape off with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil in late winter to smother overwintering crawlers
Keep leatherleaf viburnum pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
leatherleaf viburnum pests — FAQ
What is eating my leatherleaf viburnum?
Leatherleaf viburnum's thick, wrinkled evergreen leaves offer some resistance to pests, but viburnum leaf beetle and aphids remain threats. Its semi-evergreen nature in cold climates means scale insects can build up on stems over winter. Deer occasionally browse the foliage when food is scarce.
How do I get rid of viburnum leaf beetle (pyrrhalta viburni) on leatherleaf viburnum?
Larval feeding skeletonizes leaf tissue between veins; adult beetles add ragged holes through summer on new growth Remove egg-tipped twig ends in winter; apply spinosad or pyrethrin-based spray to young larvae in spring
How do I get rid of aphids on leatherleaf viburnum?
Sticky honeydew and sooty mold on upper leaf surfaces; colonies cluster on soft shoot tips in spring Strong water jets dislodge colonies; insecticidal soap or neem oil applied at dusk avoids harming pollinators
How do I get rid of scale insects on leatherleaf viburnum?
Flat or domed waxy bumps on stems and leaf midribs; yellowing foliage, reduced vigour, and honeydew build-up on leaves below Scrape off with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil in late winter to smother overwintering crawlers