Pest identification
What's eating my coreopsis 'moonbeam'?
Aphids
Signs: Soft green or yellow insects on stem tips and flower buds in spring; honeydew, slight leaf curl.
Control: Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap spray if colonies persist. Encourage natural predators by reducing pesticide use broadly.
Aster leafminer (Calycomyza aster ae and related)
Signs: Pale, winding or blotchy trails visible inside leaves; foliage looks bleached in patches.
Control: Remove and dispose of heavily mined leaves. Neem oil spray on new growth acts as a deterrent. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that kill parasitic wasp predators.
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale stippling across leaves during hot dry spells; slight webbing on undersides.
Control: Water consistently during drought. Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil on leaf undersides every 5–7 days.
Keep coreopsis 'moonbeam' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats threadleaf coreopsis — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What eats coreopsis 'moonbeam' — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common coreopsis 'moonbeam' problems & fixes
- Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' watering schedule
- Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' light requirements
- Full coreopsis 'moonbeam' care guide
Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' pests — FAQ
What is eating my coreopsis 'moonbeam'?
Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' is a tough, deer- and rabbit-resistant perennial. Its chief pest is aphids on spring growth, plus aster leafminers that tunnel pale trails in foliage. Spider mites can flare in summer drought. The fine threadleaf texture dries quickly after rain, making 'Moonbeam' naturally less disease- and pest-prone than many perennials.
How do I get rid of aphids on coreopsis 'moonbeam'?
Soft green or yellow insects on stem tips and flower buds in spring; honeydew, slight leaf curl. Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap spray if colonies persist. Encourage natural predators by reducing pesticide use broadly.
How do I get rid of aster leafminer (calycomyza aster ae and related) on coreopsis 'moonbeam'?
Pale, winding or blotchy trails visible inside leaves; foliage looks bleached in patches. Remove and dispose of heavily mined leaves. Neem oil spray on new growth acts as a deterrent. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that kill parasitic wasp predators.
How do I get rid of spider mites on coreopsis 'moonbeam'?
Tiny pale stippling across leaves during hot dry spells; slight webbing on undersides. Water consistently during drought. Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil on leaf undersides every 5–7 days.