Insect
Rosemary Beetle
A beautiful metallic green and purple striped beetle 6 - 8 mm long, along with its grey striped larvae, that strips rosemary, lavender, and thyme foliage.
Symptoms to Look For
- Rosemary and lavender shoots partially defoliated, leaving bare twiggy stems
- Metallic green-purple adult beetles and striped grey larvae visible on stems
- Feeding concentrated on young shoot tips and flower buds
Affected Plants
RosemaryLavenderThymeSage
Organic Solutions
Hand-picking
Shake plants gently over a light-coloured sheet and collect all beetles and larvae that fall; repeat every 1 - 2 weeks through the season.
Winter pruning
Prune plants hard after flowering to remove overwintering adults hiding in woody growth at the plant centre.
Prevention
- Check plants regularly from September through spring when adults are most active
- Clear mulch and debris from around plant bases where adults shelter
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.