Caterpiller id on viburnum please

[Cowgirl]

Hi, this one & his buddies have absolutely savaged my newly planted Viburnim opolos (not sure of spelling), Guelder rose anyway. Can anyone tell me what it is please & any suggestions as how to discourage it, don't really want to use an insecticide.



Thanks in advance

[aeshna5]

Viburnum Leaf Beetle, Pyrrhalta viburni. Your photo shows the larva. I've often seen Guelder Rose looking skeletal with this.

[Hedera]

A good name for it would be lace-curtain moth! I think it is a moth larva of some kind, have seen them on my shrubs.

[Cowgirl]

Thanks folks for your swift replies, beetle larvae eh? Well it's the tweezers for them, I have a viburnum tinus planted close by will they go for that as well? They only seem to be on the opolus at present. I've planted for the birds but the way these guys are chomping, there'll be no shrub left to produce berries !

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

Thanks folks for your swift replies, beetle larvae eh? Well it's the tweezers for them, I have a viburnum tinus planted close by will they go for that as well? They only seem to be on the opolus at present. I've planted for the birds but the way these guys are chomping, there'll be no shrub left to produce berries !

I think your V. tinus should be safe- I've never seen it attack that- mainly V. opulus.

[poschiavanus]

They do go for Laurustinus (V. tinus) as well, but don't seem to make the same inroads as on the natives, presumably the leaves are that bit tougher. It's rare to wander along a suburban road and not see the tell-tale signs on these garden shrubs. Certainly they nibble it in our garden.

Their effect on Guelder Rose and Wayfaring Tree seems to be very patchy, with some shrubs completely denuded whilst those close by are bearing-up well. An area I know well with both planted fairly extensively the V. opulus doesn't get anything, but the Guelder Rose in woodland are very badly affected whereas those in a sunny hedgerow just seem to get a mild infestation.