Pest identification
What's eating my prairie coreopsis?
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied colonies on shoot tips and buds; sticky honeydew; minor wilting in severe infestations.
Control: Knock off with water jet; apply insecticidal soap; attract lacewings with companion plantings.
Leafhoppers (aster yellows vector)
Signs: Deformed, virescent (greened) flowers; stunted, bushy plant habit; infected plants do not recover.
Control: Destroy infected plants immediately; manage weeds as leafhopper reservoirs; use row covers early in the season.
Caterpillars
Signs: Notched or holey leaves; minor defoliation that rarely harms established prairie plants.
Control: Tolerate light damage; hand-pick or apply Bt spray if defoliation is severe.
Keep prairie coreopsis pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Prairie Coreopsis pests — FAQ
What is eating my prairie coreopsis?
Prairie Coreopsis, a fibrous-rooted native perennial of dry prairies, is largely pest-resistant but aphids appear on new growth. Leafhoppers can introduce aster yellows, disfiguring the yellow blooms. Caterpillars occasionally cause cosmetic leaf damage. This species is notably tolerant of drought and poor soils, which reduces overall pest and disease pressure.
How do I get rid of aphids on prairie coreopsis?
Soft-bodied colonies on shoot tips and buds; sticky honeydew; minor wilting in severe infestations. Knock off with water jet; apply insecticidal soap; attract lacewings with companion plantings.
How do I get rid of leafhoppers (aster yellows vector) on prairie coreopsis?
Deformed, virescent (greened) flowers; stunted, bushy plant habit; infected plants do not recover. Destroy infected plants immediately; manage weeds as leafhopper reservoirs; use row covers early in the season.
How do I get rid of caterpillars on prairie coreopsis?
Notched or holey leaves; minor defoliation that rarely harms established prairie plants. Tolerate light damage; hand-pick or apply Bt spray if defoliation is severe.