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Invasive Beetles on viburnum shurbs #871331

Asked June 03, 2024, 2:33 PM EDT

Would like information on how to manage this issue also not sure if I need to report this invasive species!

Anoka County Minnesota

Expert Response

Viburnum leaf beetles were first reported in Minnesota (Twin Cities area) in 2019. This pest is spreading rapidly and it threatens the health of several commonly planted viburnum species.

Apparently we need to deal with the larvae in May and early June and the adult beetles from late June into the summer.

The larvae are visible and abundant when they are present, but they grow rapidly and in many cases they fall to the ground and pupate before the damage is noticed.

The following publications discuss this pest's life cycle, what can be done to control it, and when control measures must be taken.

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/viburnum-leaf-beetle/

https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/viburnum-leaf-beetle

In the long run we may need to replace susceptible viburnum species with those that are resistant.

http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/suscept.html

Given the beetles' rapid spread, we don't know whether reports from locations in the Twin Cities area are still needed.  In any case, because reports might still be useful, go here to follow up:  
https://www.mda.state.mn.us/reportapest
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 03, 2024, 5:52 PM EDT
Thank you for the quick reply! I forwarded your message to our association as everyone in our townhouse complex has viburnum! I suggested they remove all of them. We will see what happens. 

Enjoy Life, Mickey

On Jun 3, 2024, at 4:52 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 04, 2024, 9:38 AM EDT
I live in a townhome with a lot of viburnum and beetle damage too.  I'm not an expert on this topic, but here I propose waiting a year or two to see how serious the pest problem becomes.  Replacement, if it comes to that, will be a multi-year process here given the cost and other considerations. 
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 04, 2024, 11:03 AM EDT

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