Perhaps you still remember the reports about chestnut deaths a few years ago. Now there are still the most diverse types of chestnuts. But they do suffer quite a bit from some pests.

The horse chestnut leaf miner causes great damage

Which pests can be dangerous for the chestnut?

The horse chestnut leaf miner is probably the first pest on chestnuts. It is mainly found on the leaves of the horse chestnut, where an infestation usually shows up as brown spots on the leaves.

The sweet chestnut borer can cause major damage or crop failures, especially with sweet chestnuts. The females of this small weevil lay their eggs on the fruit. The larvae then eat the chestnut from the inside. They hit the ground with the falling fruit. They dig in there to hibernate.

There is an early and a late type of chestnut moth. Both types also eat the fruit of the chestnut. While the larvae of the late chestnut moth overwinter in the ground, those of the early species pupate under the tree bark. In this way, they sometimes cause a great deal of damage. This is often followed by a fungal attack, since the spores find an entry point through the damage to the bark.

The main pests of chestnuts:

  • Horse chestnut leaf miner
  • chestnut borer
  • chestnut moth

Do chestnuts often suffer from fungal infestation?

Chestnuts that are weakened or injured by pruning can easily become infected with fungus. Two fungi that trigger the dreaded chestnut blight or ink sickness are particularly dangerous. Both diseases can lead to chestnut death if left untreated.

How can I prevent a pest infestation?

The best way to prevent further pest infestation is to dispose of infested parts of the plant. If leaves and fruit fall from the tree prematurely, you can assume a pest infestation. Collect everything regularly and do not throw it on the compost, there the larvae find ideal conditions for wintering. If you can, burn both the foliage and fruit.

tips

The regular and thorough disposal of infested plant parts does not always prevent a new pest infestation, but it significantly reduces it.

Category:

Trees