Pest identification
What's eating my red sentinel astilbe?
Black vine weevil
Signs: Adults notch leaf edges with C-shaped cuts; larvae chew roots and crowns, leading to sudden wilting or plant death
Control: Apply Heterorhabditis or Steinernema nematodes to warm, moist soil in August; remove and bin wilting crowns to prevent adult emergence
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale speckling across upper leaf surface; in severe cases foliage turns bronze and drops; webbing on leaf undersides
Control: Mist leaves in hot weather; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to undersides; two to three weekly treatments usually clear an infestation
Keep red sentinel astilbe pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Red Sentinel Astilbe pests — FAQ
What is eating my red sentinel astilbe?
Red Sentinel Astilbe shares the genus's low pest burden and is deer and rabbit resistant. Black vine weevil larvae are the most damaging pest, silently destroying roots in late summer. Spider mites may appear in drought. Moist, humus-rich soil and a late-summer nematode drench are the main defenses.
How do I get rid of black vine weevil on red sentinel astilbe?
Adults notch leaf edges with C-shaped cuts; larvae chew roots and crowns, leading to sudden wilting or plant death Apply Heterorhabditis or Steinernema nematodes to warm, moist soil in August; remove and bin wilting crowns to prevent adult emergence
How do I get rid of spider mites on red sentinel astilbe?
Tiny pale speckling across upper leaf surface; in severe cases foliage turns bronze and drops; webbing on leaf undersides Mist leaves in hot weather; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to undersides; two to three weekly treatments usually clear an infestation