What's eating my spiraea thunbergii 'ogon'?

Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon' (Golden Thunberg Spiraea) is most threatened by spiraea aphids, which target the soft golden new growth in spring. Leaf roller caterpillars and Japanese beetles can also cause defoliation. Its early flowering makes it attractive to browsing rabbits in late winter and early spring.

Dense green-white colonies on young shoots and leaves; honeydew; leaf curl and distortion on golden new foliage Knock off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce or attract natural predators

Silky webbing enclosing rolled leaves; caterpillar feeding causes browning and defoliation of affected shoot tips Remove and destroy rolled leaves; spray with Bt during larval stage; keep area free of leaf debris

Skeletonized foliage — veins left intact while soft tissue is consumed; worst in midsummer Hand-pick adults into soapy water; apply neem oil spray; use milky spore in lawn to control grub stage

Clean, angled cuts to young stems near the ground in late winter and early spring; new shoots removed overnight Wrap the base in wire mesh cylinder; apply rabbit repellent; fence vulnerable plants through late winter