Pest identification
What's eating my pelargonium peltatum 'barrocas'?
Caterpillars (geranium bronze butterfly, Cacyreus marshalli)
Signs: Bored-out stems, wilting shoots, and holed flower buds; frass visible near entry points
Control: Cut back and remove infested shoots; apply Bt spray to foliage and buds; inspect weekly during the growing season
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew on leaves, distorted shoot tips, and attendant sooty mold reducing plant vigor
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; wash off colonies with water; use yellow sticky traps as an early warning
Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Sudden wilting and plant death from grubs eating roots; adult notching visible on leaf margins
Control: Drench container compost with nematodes in late summer; refresh old compost annually and inspect for white grubs
Keep pelargonium peltatum 'barrocas' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pelargonium peltatum 'Barrocas' pests — FAQ
What is eating my pelargonium peltatum 'barrocas'?
Pelargonium peltatum 'Barrocas' faces the same pest pressures as all ivy-leaved geraniums. Caterpillars of the geranium bronze butterfly are the most damaging pest in Europe and mild US climates, boring into stems and buds. Aphids cluster on soft growth, and vine weevil grubs threaten container-grown plants.
How do I get rid of caterpillars (geranium bronze butterfly, cacyreus marshalli) on pelargonium peltatum 'barrocas'?
Bored-out stems, wilting shoots, and holed flower buds; frass visible near entry points Cut back and remove infested shoots; apply Bt spray to foliage and buds; inspect weekly during the growing season
How do I get rid of aphids on pelargonium peltatum 'barrocas'?
Sticky honeydew on leaves, distorted shoot tips, and attendant sooty mold reducing plant vigor Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; wash off colonies with water; use yellow sticky traps as an early warning
How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on pelargonium peltatum 'barrocas'?
Sudden wilting and plant death from grubs eating roots; adult notching visible on leaf margins Drench container compost with nematodes in late summer; refresh old compost annually and inspect for white grubs