Pest identification
What's eating my spiraea 'little princess'?
Spiraea aphid (Aphis spiraecola)
Signs: Dense pale-green colonies on shoot tips; sticky honeydew; curled, distorted young leaves; ants tending the colonies
Control: Blast off with water jet; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil; prune affected shoot tips early
Spiraea leaf roller caterpillar
Signs: Leaves rolled and tied with fine webbing; caterpillars feed inside, leaving browned, tattered foliage
Control: Remove affected foliage by hand; spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) at larval stage; maintain healthy airflow around plants
Japanese beetle
Signs: Skeletonized leaf tissue between veins in midsummer; metallic green-bronze adults visible on foliage
Control: Hand-pick into soapy water; avoid pheromone traps near plant; apply milky spore to lawn area
Rabbits
Signs: Clean-cut stem damage near soil level on young plants in early spring; entire shoots may be removed overnight
Control: Protect young plants with wire mesh guards; use rabbit repellent spray around the base
Keep spiraea 'little princess' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats japanese spirea — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What eats spiraea 'little princess' — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common spiraea 'little princess' problems & fixes
- Spiraea 'Little Princess' watering schedule
- Spiraea 'Little Princess' light requirements
- Full spiraea 'little princess' care guide
Spiraea 'Little Princess' pests — FAQ
What is eating my spiraea 'little princess'?
Spiraea 'Little Princess' is most affected by spiraea aphids, which colonize new growth heavily. Leaf roller caterpillars web and skeletonize foliage in spring. Japanese beetles cause midsummer damage, and rabbits may browse young plants in early spring when other food is scarce.
How do I get rid of spiraea aphid (aphis spiraecola) on spiraea 'little princess'?
Dense pale-green colonies on shoot tips; sticky honeydew; curled, distorted young leaves; ants tending the colonies Blast off with water jet; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil; prune affected shoot tips early
How do I get rid of spiraea leaf roller caterpillar on spiraea 'little princess'?
Leaves rolled and tied with fine webbing; caterpillars feed inside, leaving browned, tattered foliage Remove affected foliage by hand; spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) at larval stage; maintain healthy airflow around plants
How do I get rid of japanese beetle on spiraea 'little princess'?
Skeletonized leaf tissue between veins in midsummer; metallic green-bronze adults visible on foliage Hand-pick into soapy water; avoid pheromone traps near plant; apply milky spore to lawn area
How do I get rid of rabbits on spiraea 'little princess'?
Clean-cut stem damage near soil level on young plants in early spring; entire shoots may be removed overnight Protect young plants with wire mesh guards; use rabbit repellent spray around the base