Pest identification
What's eating my rue?
Black swallowtail caterpillar
Signs: Large green and black striped caterpillars strip leaves down to bare stems rapidly.
Control: Hand-pick caterpillars and relocate — they become beautiful butterflies. Use row cover if infestation is severe.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of soft-bodied insects on new growth cause curled, distorted leaves and sticky honeydew residue.
Control: Blast off with a strong water jet or apply insecticidal soap spray. Encourage ladybirds and lacewings.
Flea beetles
Signs: Tiny round holes peppered across leaves give foliage a shot-hole appearance.
Control: Apply diatomaceous earth around plants; use sticky yellow traps; cover with fine mesh netting in spring.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Irregular ragged holes in young leaves, especially at ground level, with silvery slime trails.
Control: Use iron phosphate pellets, set beer traps, or hand-pick at night. Clear mulch from the plant base.
Keep rue pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Rue pests — FAQ
What is eating my rue?
Rue is troubled mainly by aphids, caterpillars (especially swallowtail butterfly larvae), and flea beetles outdoors. Its pungent oils deter most insects, making it relatively pest-resistant. The black swallowtail caterpillar is the most dramatic visitor, but slugs and snails also attack young foliage in damp conditions.
How do I get rid of black swallowtail caterpillar on rue?
Large green and black striped caterpillars strip leaves down to bare stems rapidly. Hand-pick caterpillars and relocate — they become beautiful butterflies. Use row cover if infestation is severe.
How do I get rid of aphids on rue?
Clusters of soft-bodied insects on new growth cause curled, distorted leaves and sticky honeydew residue. Blast off with a strong water jet or apply insecticidal soap spray. Encourage ladybirds and lacewings.
How do I get rid of flea beetles on rue?
Tiny round holes peppered across leaves give foliage a shot-hole appearance. Apply diatomaceous earth around plants; use sticky yellow traps; cover with fine mesh netting in spring.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on rue?
Irregular ragged holes in young leaves, especially at ground level, with silvery slime trails. Use iron phosphate pellets, set beer traps, or hand-pick at night. Clear mulch from the plant base.