Cherry laurel is one of the robust garden shrubs that thrive with the right choice of location and appropriate care. Unfortunately, the shrubs are occasionally attacked by pests that are not obvious at first glance. In addition to unsightly holes in the leaves, the foliage shows pitted edges and, in some cases, yellowing.
A beetle causes the pitting
Responsible for this feeding damage is the vine weevil, which likes to settle on laurel cherries and garden shrubs with coarse foliage. The nocturnal beetle is one of the most stubborn garden pests that you can only get rid of with a little know-how and patience.
You can recognize the infestation by the circular holes in the leaves. Unlike shotgun disease, the foliage does not show any brown spots. There are also semi-circular feeding spots along the edges of the leaves.
The larvae are really dangerous for the plant
If the feeding damage to the leaves only disturbs the appearance of the plants, the voracious larvae of the beetle can pose a serious threat to the cherry laurel. The white beetle larvae, about twelve millimeters long, live in the root area. They first feed on the delicate fine roots of the plant. The older larvae eat their way to the base of the trunk and gnaw off the bark of the main roots there. As a result, the cherry laurel can no longer absorb enough water and is weakened. As a result, there is a risk of infection with soil fungi and the death of the shrub.
Control of the vine weevil
Since the black beetle, which is about one centimeter in size, lives in hiding, it is difficult to control with insecticides. Check pitted cherry laurels with a flashlight in the late evening hours. If you discover vine weevils, place a flower pot filled with wood wool under the bush as a first aid. The pests hide in these containers during the day, so you can collect the beetles every day. In addition, bury neempress cakes around the laurel cherry, which will spoil the hunger of the bugs and larvae.
The most effective way is to fight the larvae with small roundworms, the nematodes. The microscopic worms enter the beetle larvae and release a bacterium that kills the larvae.
tips and tricks
The vine weevil has many natural enemies such as shrews, hedgehogs, lizards, toads and birds. Ensure a good ecological balance in the garden and offer the beneficial insects sufficient shelter and nesting opportunities. This is the simplest and most effective way to keep the ravenous beetle at bay in the long run.
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