Pest identification
What's eating my threadleaf coreopsis?
Aphids
Signs: Small colonies on flower buds and stem tips; honeydew; rarely causes serious harm on established clumps.
Control: Knock off with water; apply insecticidal soap if colonies are large; encourage natural predators.
Leafhoppers (aster yellows vector)
Signs: Infected plants produce deformed, greenish flowers and fail to thrive; disease is phytoplasma-based, not curable.
Control: Remove infected plants promptly; manage weedy reservoirs around beds; monitor with sticky yellow traps.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on foliage; stippled, bronzed appearance during hot, dry weather; thread-like leaves show tip bronzing.
Control: Spray foliage with water to raise humidity; apply neem oil or horticultural soap spray in the evening.
Keep threadleaf coreopsis pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Threadleaf Coreopsis pests — FAQ
What is eating my threadleaf coreopsis?
Threadleaf Coreopsis is one of the most pest-resistant coreopsis species. Its fine, needle-like foliage is unappealing to most chewing insects and browsing animals. Aphids and leafhoppers (aster yellows vector) are the main threats. Spider mites may colonise in hot dry summers. Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone.
How do I get rid of aphids on threadleaf coreopsis?
Small colonies on flower buds and stem tips; honeydew; rarely causes serious harm on established clumps. Knock off with water; apply insecticidal soap if colonies are large; encourage natural predators.
How do I get rid of leafhoppers (aster yellows vector) on threadleaf coreopsis?
Infected plants produce deformed, greenish flowers and fail to thrive; disease is phytoplasma-based, not curable. Remove infected plants promptly; manage weedy reservoirs around beds; monitor with sticky yellow traps.
How do I get rid of spider mites on threadleaf coreopsis?
Fine webbing on foliage; stippled, bronzed appearance during hot, dry weather; thread-like leaves show tip bronzing. Spray foliage with water to raise humidity; apply neem oil or horticultural soap spray in the evening.