Shrubs -  Broad Leaf Evergreen

BROADLEAF EVERGREENS  Common Insects and Diseases

This is a brief listing of some common problems that may affect specific species. Weather, climate, seasonal and stress related conditions will sometimes influence a plants likelihood of being affected by insects and disease, it is always good to know which insects may affect a particular plant so that timely measures can be taken to correct problems. This list covers shrubs that are mainly planted and used in zones 3 - 6.

Andromeda polifolia - Bog Rosemary - Seldom bothered, but subject to andromeda lace bug, two-spotted mites, cottony maple scale and leaf spots.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - Bearberry / Kinnikinick - Occasionally bothered by the rose and bearberry aphid, mildew and leaf galls.

Azalea (Hybrid evergreen) - Azaleas can sometimes be troubled by many insects and diseases including canker, petal blight, crown rot, dieback, leaf spots, shoot blight, powdery mildew, root rot, asiatic garden beetle, azalea stem borer, azalea lace bug, azalea leaf miner, mealybugs, mites, moths, various nematodes, scales, strawberry root and black vine weevils.

Berberis species - Barberry - Subject to anthracnose, leaf spots, root rots, rusts, wilt, barberry aphids, asiatic garden beetle, eight-spotted forester moth, northern root-knot nematode, barberry scale, barberry webworm and Japanese weevil, but rarely do barberries succumb to much.

Buxus species, cultivars & hybrids - Boxwood - Subject to canker, blight, leaf spots, phytophora, boxwood leaf miner, mealybugs, mites, various nematodes, boxwood psyllid, various scales, giant hornet wasp, boxwood webworm. Buxus microphylla & cultivars are less susceptible than B. sempervirens & cultivars.

Calluna vulgaris - Scotch Heather - Subject to Japanese beetle, two-spotted spider mites, and oyster shell scale.

Cotoneaster species & cultivars - Since it is a member of the rosaceae family, the threat of fireblight disease is prevalent. Also subject to aphids, hawthorn lace bug, sinuate peartree borer, various scales, spider mites, cotoneaster webworm, pear leaf blister mites, leaf spots and cankers.

Daphne cneorum - Garland Flower - Subject to leaf spots, crown rot, twig blight, cankers, viruses, aphids, mealybugs and scales.

Erica species - Heath - Similar to Calluna vulgaris.

Euonymus species & cultivars - The most destructive pests are scales, and there are many kinds. Euonymus fortunei, Euonymus f. var. coloratus, and Euonymus f. var. radicans are the most susceptible. Also susceptible to aphids, thrips, anthracnose, crown gall, leaf spots and powdery mildew.

Ilex species & cultivars - Holly - Ilex opaca is subject to a variety of insects and disease including leaf spots, cankers, bacterial blight, twig die back, spot anthracnose, powdery mildew, leaf miners, mealybug, mites, gypsy moth, nematodes, various scales and many others. Ilex crenata is subject to spider mites, and black knot disease. Ilex glabra and Ilex meservae hybrids are the most resistant to insect and disease problems.

Kalmia species - Laurel - Subject to basically the same insects and diseases of rhododendron and azaleas.

Ledum groenlandicum - Labrador Tea - Subject to anthracnose, leaf galls, rusts and leaf spots.

Leucothoe species & cultivars - Highly susceptible to various leaf spots and (stephanitis takeyai) lace bug, similar to azalea lace bug : see Styrax under Dec. Trees. Very particular to site and soil type. Only when optimum soil and moisture conditions, as well as proper air circulation are maintained will these plants thrive and flourish.

Mahonia aquifolium & cultivars - Oregon Grape Holly - Subject to leaf rusts, leaf spots and leaf scorch all physiological problems brought on by desiccating winds and winter sun when planted inappropriately. Also subject to barberry aphids. Subject to greedy and lantania scale only in warmer climates.

Myrica pennsylvanica - Bayberry - Seldom troubled but subject to foxglove aphid, apple mealy bug, Japanese beetle and dogwood borer.

Paxistima canbyi - Rat-Stripper - Seldom troubled, but subject to leaf spots and euonymus scale.

Pieris species & cultivars - No matter how well you think you are growing this shrub, it seems to always get the azalea lace bug to some degree. Also suseptable to (stephanitis takeyai) lace bug, similar to azalea lace bug : see Styrax under Dec. Trees. Occasionally bothered by two-spotted spider mites, dogwood twig borer, nematodes, various scales, leaf spots and phytophthora disease.

Pyracantha species & cultivars - Firethorn - Since it is a member of the rosaceae family, it is subject to fireblight disease. other insects and disease include twig blight, leaf blight, aphids, lace bug and scales.

Rhododendron - Subject to the rhododendron aphid, several beetles and borers, rhododendron lace bug, taxus mealy bug, Rhododendron tip midge, nematodes, rootworm, various scales and weevils, giant horned wasp, Rhododendron whitefly, caterpillars and sawflies, leaf spots, leaf necrosis, virus disease, bud blight, rust, powdery mildew, cankers and phytophyhora blight. Did any of these things ever stop you from using rhododendrons?

Viburnum species & cultivars - Although Viburnums have many insects and diseases that can affect them, they are only sometimes troubled. The Leatherleaf varieties are those that are rarely affected by any insect or disease problems.

Top of Page

Take me to -  Trees Deciduous - Trees Evergreen - Shrubs NL Evergreen - Shrubs BL Evergreen - Shrubs Deciduous - Groundcovers - Perennials - Vines - The Bug Book Main Page