Viburnum beetle
PEST
When it's active · UK
JFMAMJJASOND
When it's active · Northern Italy
JFMAMJJASOND
When it's active · Central Italy
JFMAMJJASOND
When it's active · Southern Italy and islands
JFMAMJJASOND
How to recognise it
Skeletonised leaves in early summer from larval feeding, followed by further, coarser leaf damage from adult beetles in late summer.
Life cycle and conditions
Larvae feed from spring, pupate in soil, then adults emerge and feed again in late summer, laying eggs for the following year.
Prevention
Inspect plants in spring so larvae can be caught and removed before extensive damage.
How to treat it
🌿 ORGANIC · RECOMMENDED
Remove larvae and adults by hand where practical; a soap-based spray helps with heavier infestations and breaks down without lasting impact on other wildlife.
🧪 CHEMICAL · IF YOU CHOOSE
Not usually necessary — early spring inspection and hand removal is normally enough to keep this pest from causing serious damage.
PLANTS MOST AFFECTED