A beetle causes the pitting
The vine weevil is responsible for this damage. 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.
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You can recognize the infestation by the circular holes in the leaves. In contrast to shotgun disease, the foliage has no brown spots. There are also semicircular feeding spots along the leaf margins.
The larvae are really dangerous for the plant
If the damage caused by feeding on the leaves only disturbs the appearance of the plants, the voracious larvae of the beetle can become a serious threat to the cherry laurel. The approximately twelve millimeter long, white beetle larvae live in the root area. They initially feed on the plant's delicate fine roots. 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 soil fungus infections and the shrub's death.
Control of the black weevil
Since the black, about one centimeter tall beetle lives hidden, it is difficult to control with insecticides. Check pitting cherry laurels with a flashlight in the late evening hours. If you discover blackjack weevils, put a flower pot filled with wood wool under the bush as the first emergency aid. The pests hide in these vessels during the day, so you can collect the beetles every day. In addition, bury neem press cakes around the laurel cherry, which spoil hunger for the beetles and larvae.
Most effective is the control of the larvae with small roundworms, the nematodes. The microscopic worms penetrate the beetle larvae and release a bacterium that kills the larvae.
Tips & 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 method to keep the voracious beetle at bay for a long time.
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