Hello. Several leaves at the top of a hibiscus are being eaten. I don’t think it’s snails or slugs. I thought it could be Japanese beetles but I h...
Knowledgebase
What’s eating my hibiscus leaves? #875574
Asked July 01, 2024, 9:03 PM EDT
Hello. Several leaves at the top of a hibiscus are being eaten. I don’t think it’s snails or slugs. I thought it could be Japanese beetles but I haven’t seen any bugs. The only thing I’ve seen was a tiny single green fly on a leaf late this afternoon. I don’t see any insects underneath the leaves and no white webbing. I haven’t seen a sawfly either.
Wake CountyNorth Carolina
Expert Response
Hello Mary!
I looked and looked and I do think it is the sawfly caterpillar that is creating the holes and the window pane damage. It is very common and affects quite a few plants especially rose leaves.
I am sending you a UTube video from the UG Extension that goes into more detail. They discuss rose leaf damage by the sawfly caterpillar which will be the same damage you see on your hibiscus leaves. ?si=2KpkHPgecgFZ9aao Once you review it let me know if you agree. If you don't I would be happy to submit your images to the PDIC, Pest, Disease and Insect Clinic at NCSU. Here is their link as well, https://pdic.ces.ncsu.edu/how-to-submit/
Thank you for contacting us and please forgive my delay in replying to you.
