It would be nice to finally find a tree species that has never experienced a pest close to its leaves. However, the plane tree is eliminated as a candidate! In the following, we will describe more than four types of pests that are badly affecting the poor tree.
The leaf miner does not stop at the plane tree
The four evildoers
A well cared for plane tree is robust, but the occurrence of the following types of pests cannot be avoided with certainty:
- gall mites
- leaf miners
- sycamore bugs
- Vine mealybugs
gall mites
Curled leaves that later turn brown and dry up are the destructive work of gall mites. The pests themselves are so tiny that they cannot be seen with the naked eye, even up close. Immediately dispose of all diseased leaves in the residual waste bin. You can also get advice on suitable pesticides in the garden center.
leaf miners
The caterpillars of the pest leave burrows about 2-3 cm long on the underside of the leaves. They arise when the caterpillars eat their way through the inside of the leaf. We perceive these mines as yellowish-brown spots. Small, rather inconspicuous speckles can be seen on the upper side of the leaf. Infected parts of the plant should be removed and disposed of as soon as possible.
Notice:
The infestation with leaf miners occasionally occurs at the same time as the fungal disease leaf blight. The similarity of symptoms can lead to a premature, incorrect diagnosis. If you hold a sheet of paper up to the light, you will see the mines clearly.
sycamore bugs
Sycamore bugs are found in warmer regions of the country and prefer to be found on sycamore trees in inner cities. They usually occur in moderation and can only be combated with a pesticide. It is all the more important that an infestation is detected early. These are the signs:
- numerous bright spots close to leaf veins
- later bronze colored leaves
- black larvae
Vine mealybugs
Vine mealybugs multiply rapidly and can cause great damage to the plane tree. They suck out their plant sap, leaving behind a sticky film of honey. Luckily, the comparatively large lice are easy to spot when you take a closer look at the plane tree:
- Lice are several millimeters long
- they are provided with a white covering
- they cavort everywhere on the plane tree
With the targeted settlement of beneficial insects such as lacewings, ladybirds and parasitic wasps, we have a natural, tried-and-tested means at hand to push back this pest.