Pest identification
What's eating my forsythia 'lynwood gold'?
Four-lined Plant Bug (Poecilocapsus lineatus)
Signs: Round, sunken, dark spots on leaves in early summer from toxic saliva; leaves look pockmarked
Control: Neem oil or insecticidal soap in late spring when nymphs are active; infestations are usually brief and self-limiting
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on new shoot tips causing leaf curl and honeydew in spring
Control: Strong water jet or insecticidal soap; natural enemies usually control populations quickly
Deer & Rabbits
Signs: Flower buds and young stems browsed in late winter, preventing spring bloom
Control: Deer and rabbit repellent applied from late autumn; fencing for young or low-growing plants
Keep forsythia 'lynwood gold' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Forsythia 'Lynwood Gold' pests — FAQ
What is eating my forsythia 'lynwood gold'?
Forsythia 'Lynwood Gold' is generally pest-resistant, but four-lined plant bugs, aphids, and spider mites can cause cosmetic damage to leaves in summer. Deer and rabbits browse stems and flower buds in late winter, eliminating the spring display. Four-lined plant bug is the most consistently noticed pest on forsythia across the US and UK.
How do I get rid of four-lined plant bug (poecilocapsus lineatus) on forsythia 'lynwood gold'?
Round, sunken, dark spots on leaves in early summer from toxic saliva; leaves look pockmarked Neem oil or insecticidal soap in late spring when nymphs are active; infestations are usually brief and self-limiting
How do I get rid of aphids on forsythia 'lynwood gold'?
Clusters on new shoot tips causing leaf curl and honeydew in spring Strong water jet or insecticidal soap; natural enemies usually control populations quickly
How do I get rid of deer & rabbits on forsythia 'lynwood gold'?
Flower buds and young stems browsed in late winter, preventing spring bloom Deer and rabbit repellent applied from late autumn; fencing for young or low-growing plants