Pest identification
What's eating my variegata brunnera?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Irregular holes through the leaf blade, most damaging on young spring foliage; slime trails present
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets around clumps; hand-pick at night; reduce nearby debris and mulch depth
Sawfly larvae
Signs: Skeletonized leaves or large irregular sections eaten; caterpillar-like larvae found on the underside
Control: Pick larvae off by hand; apply neem oil or pyrethrin spray if infestation is heavy
Vine weevil
Signs: Notched leaf margins from adults; root damage and wilting mainly in container-grown plants
Control: Drench container soil with beneficial nematodes in late summer; inspect roots when repotting
Keep variegata brunnera pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Variegata Brunnera pests — FAQ
What is eating my variegata brunnera?
Variegata Brunnera (Siberian bugloss) is a robust woodland perennial with few serious pests. Slugs and snails are the main threat, nibbling the large, heart-shaped variegated leaves. Sawfly larvae occasionally skeletonize foliage. Vine weevil may attack roots in container plantings. Iron phosphate bait handles slugs effectively.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on variegata brunnera?
Irregular holes through the leaf blade, most damaging on young spring foliage; slime trails present Apply iron phosphate pellets around clumps; hand-pick at night; reduce nearby debris and mulch depth
How do I get rid of sawfly larvae on variegata brunnera?
Skeletonized leaves or large irregular sections eaten; caterpillar-like larvae found on the underside Pick larvae off by hand; apply neem oil or pyrethrin spray if infestation is heavy
How do I get rid of vine weevil on variegata brunnera?
Notched leaf margins from adults; root damage and wilting mainly in container-grown plants Drench container soil with beneficial nematodes in late summer; inspect roots when repotting