What's eating my skimmia japonica rubella?

Skimmia japonica 'Rubella' is most commonly damaged by vine weevil in containers and by spider mites in hot, dry conditions. Spider mite feeding causes a distinctive bronze stippling across leaves. Vine weevil grubs destroy roots over autumn and winter. Scale insects may also appear. Both pests are treatable with targeted products.

Leaves develop fine yellow stippling and a bronzed, dull appearance; fine webbing may be visible on undersides in severe cases. Increase humidity and mist foliage. Apply biological control (Phytoseiulus persimilis) or an acaricide. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that kill natural predators.

Adults notch leaf margins in spring and summer; grubs feed on roots from autumn, causing sudden wilting and plant collapse, especially in containers. Apply nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist compost in late summer or autumn. Use vine weevil-specific compost drenches containing thiacloprid where permitted.

Brown or white immobile bumps on stems and branches, causing sticky honeydew and weakened growth. Scrape off by hand on light infestations; spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap at crawler stage in spring.