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Pests & Diseases - Australia

Invisible bugs!

21 years ago

Would anyone know what bug, insect or spider might be eating the leaves on our photinia plants? We check the leaves each day (and I've even gone out in the night with a torch) but can never see any critter. Fortunately they are not stripping our 25 plants which are currently in pots to be planted as a hedge fence when our land is eventually registered. Where do these critters come from and where do they go?

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Comments (6)

Robert_NSW
21 years ago
You need to describe the nature of the leaf damage.
Joyster3
Original Author
21 years ago
Thank you Robert for your response. The damage to the leaf is that the critter chomps the edge on some leaves and eats half of other leaves. I know the description isn't much to go on but it is hard to describe when you're a novice. Sorry I've not replied earlier but I've been ill.
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PaulBNE
12 years ago
I am having the same problem with a group of Photinia in the garden. The leaves are being stripped at the top of the plant and lower on the plant they're being half eaten. I suspect grasshopper but cannot see any evidence of insects. The interesting thing is that over the other side of the garden, around 10 metres away the Photinia aren't touched. Any ideas? I've attached a with a picture showing some half eaten leaves as an example.
alisonoz_gw
12 years ago
As I posted elsewhere, I'm just wondering if it's a wild hare that's coming in for a chomp. I'm on the GCoast and there are a few in my area - one has claimed my front yard as a part-time home, no photinia here but it must be living on something.
It's too early in the year (cold) for grasshoppers.
funnelweb
12 years ago
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it's something like that Alison, I've grown photinias on and off for years and never had any bugs bothering them that I can recall, and certainly never leaves chewed as they appear in Paul's picture. They do look like they've been a feed for a teethy animal!
b.
singria
11 years ago
I bought a new photinia and as soon as I put it in my yard (still in it's container) I could see the next morning some bug had eaten pieces of the leaves and it was not like Paul's but more like a worm or insect has eaten holes in the leaf. I cannot find any traces from bugs, but I did find some snails on my driveway. Could they have done it ?

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