[Adam]

On the edge of my front garden, bordering a patch of woodland, there are several Guelder Rose bushes. It's a kind of Vibernum I believe. This year I have noticed that quite suddenly all the leaves have been reduced to fine lace, and they are absolutely infested with tiny larvae which I have identified as the imaginatively titled Guelder Rose Leaf Beetle. Almost every single leaf on every bush has been reduced to a skeleton.

I've never noticed this phenomenon before, and we've lived here 7 years. I think the bushes were planted just before we moved in. Is this year a particularly good one for these type of beetles? Has anyone else noticed a big increase in them this year?

The leaves are all so decimated that I wonder if the bushes will survive. Can anyone tell me if they think they've any chance, after all leaves are fairly important to a plant!

[Trillium]

You'll need to buy an appropriate spray for the plant, asap! to control the beetles as you've no natural predators in place. There are many good soap-based sprays available. Douse the plant well, including stems, joints and ground surface. Let it dry, then give the plant a good feeding with either rose fertilizer, rotted manure, or my favourite, alfalfa pellets which you'd water in. It's probably also a good time to do some pruning to encourage new leafy shoots.
The spray should finish off most of the beetles and the leaves should start forming fairly soon provided there isn't a 2nd attack.

[Adam]

Thanks for the quick reply Trillium. Are there any brand names you can think of for the soap-based sprays? Is there something I could make up myself? I'll get on with it as soon as I can.

I must admit I'd thought about giving them a good prune as they do seem quite leggy.

[mumofstig]

Scotts Bug Clear gun works......and be ready with the spray as soon as the buds break next year, when they will be back