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What is eating our aruncus leaves?

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Eric Hardy:
What is eating our aruncus leaves? It only occurs low down and the upper leaves are fine and healthy. Could it be earwigs again? There is no sign of any ceature on the leaves.



Eric H

ideasguy:
Thought perhaps Vine weevil
Heres a few links:
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=pax_eOq8Q0oC&pg=PA156&lpg=PA156&dq=vineweevil+aruncus&source=bl&ots=dnwP9sObUC&sig=yfHuCTMFiTvTRulBm052Z5hQIxc&hl=en&ei=-tooSqSQOIfUjAfM4v3mCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1
Says the vine weevil Grubs Like munching the roots of astilbe and Aruncus
Doesnt say about the leaves though.


http://www.gapphotos.com/imagedetails.asp?imageno=135094
(you guys could do much better than that!)

http://www.hortsource.com/Insectpagesbk/InsectsPerennials.htm

Heres another suggestion:
http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/caterpillar-butterfly-14929.html?s=b436c3b277be0dacdef6585e155c3c5d&
Into the thread I read:

--- Quote ---Last night, I had to squash a number of sawfly larvae (like very small green caterpillars) that were making a meal of my aruncus sylvestris. Now they're the ones which need a "zero tolerance" policy!

--- End quote ---

NightHawk:
What variety of Aruncus is it Eric?

I'm asking because I've been having a surf about and some reports I've found state that certain varieties of Aruncus deter specific pests.  For example: Aruncus aethusifolius 'Dwarf Goat's Beard' deters slugs.  Although slug damage hasn't been determined in your case, it indicates there could be a specific insect that is affecting yours.

Laurie.

Eric Hardy:
Thanks Laurie.

We have had this plant for years and I think it is Aruncus dioicus (goat's beard). It is about 4 ft 6 ins high with a spread of about 6 feet. The spikes are about 5 ft 6 ins to 6 feet tall but aren't fully out yet. It fits the description in the RHS A - Z. Here are two pictures I took in July 2002 with a little 2 mega pixel Olympus.





I went out to have another look while composing this reply. I missed them the first time I looked (I didn't have my reading glasses on  :) ) but this time I discovered the little pests and have taken a picture for you. They are tiny and only about 1/4 inch long. Nice, aren't they?  :) Are these saw fly larvae and if so have you any idea of what to do about them?



Eric H

Eric Hardy:

--- Quote from: ideasguy on June 05, 2009, 09:50:48 AM ---Heres another suggestion:
http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/caterpillar-butterfly-14929.html?s=b436c3b277be0dacdef6585e155c3c5d&
Into the thread I read:

--- Quote ---Last night, I had to squash a number of sawfly larvae (like very small green caterpillars) that were making a meal of my aruncus sylvestris. Now they're the ones which need a "zero tolerance" policy!

--- End quote ---

--- End quote ---

Sorry George, I missed your earlier reply.  :( I think they are probably saw fly larvae. I wonder what "zero tolerance" means? Squashing? Spraying?.

Edit: 3:30 pm. I have just been outside and taken off a few leaves. The plant can stand it. Can't do any more - flaming June has gone and it has just started to rain. At least no watering needed tonight :)

Eric H

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