What's eating my pyracantha angustifolia?

Pyracantha angustifolia is most commonly damaged by woolly aphids and firethorn leaf-mining moth, which are widespread on all Pyracantha species. Scale insects colonize stems, and spider mites can attack in dry conditions. Birds eat the berries — beneficial for dispersal but occasionally problematic in ornamental settings. Scab disease often accompanies insect stress.

White woolly masses on stems and leaf undersides; distorted new growth; sticky honeydew promoting sooty mold Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators such as ladybugs

Brown blotch mines in leaves visible from late summer; affected leaves shrivel and drop early Remove and bin mined leaves; systemic insecticide in early summer targets first-generation larvae; no fully reliable chemical control

Crusty brown or white bumps on bark and stems; slow dieback of branches; yellowing foliage Scrub off with a soft brush and isopropyl alcohol; apply horticultural oil in dormancy

Berries stripped from fruiting branches; fouling under shrub; occasional physical branch damage from larger flocks Net individual branches to protect display berries; accept moderate berry loss as ecologically beneficial