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Pest identification

What's eating my plains coreopsis?

Aphids

Signs: Colonies on flower buds and young stems; honeydew deposits; distorted bud development.

Control: Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap; plant nectar-rich companions to attract aphid predators.

Leafhoppers (aster yellows vector)

Signs: Stippled, pale leaves; more critically, plants infected with aster yellows produce green, deformed flowers and stunted growth.

Control: Control leafhopper populations with insecticidal soap; remove and destroy infected plants immediately — there is no cure for aster yellows.

Caterpillars

Signs: Ragged holes in leaves and flower heads; frass on foliage.

Control: Hand-pick; apply Bt spray; tolerate light damage on established plants as it rarely affects flowering.

Keep plains coreopsis pest-free

Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:

Plains Coreopsis pests — FAQ

What is eating my plains coreopsis?

Plains Coreopsis is a tough annual but aphids colonise flower buds and soft tips, especially in spring flushes. Leafhoppers transmit aster yellows disease, which deforms flowers. Caterpillars occasionally chew foliage. Deer and rabbits rarely browse it seriously, making pest pressure generally low on this fast-growing wildflower.

How do I get rid of aphids on plains coreopsis?

Colonies on flower buds and young stems; honeydew deposits; distorted bud development. Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap; plant nectar-rich companions to attract aphid predators.

How do I get rid of leafhoppers (aster yellows vector) on plains coreopsis?

Stippled, pale leaves; more critically, plants infected with aster yellows produce green, deformed flowers and stunted growth. Control leafhopper populations with insecticidal soap; remove and destroy infected plants immediately — there is no cure for aster yellows.

How do I get rid of caterpillars on plains coreopsis?

Ragged holes in leaves and flower heads; frass on foliage. Hand-pick; apply Bt spray; tolerate light damage on established plants as it rarely affects flowering.