Tag Archives: lavender plant

Rosemary Beetle on Lavender Plant

IMG_20140531_084154008

This pretty, metallic beetle with red and green stripes is now a widespread pest in England, having originally invaded from South America. It plants its’ eggs on lavender or rosemary plants which eventually hatch into larvae that look like little grey slugs with dark stripes and eat the plant.

To save the plant, pick off the adult beetles by hand and cut off the parts of the plant that have eggs laid on them. Unfortunately we had to bin the invaded lavender plants as the eggs had hatched and the larvae were eating the plant and had caused damage.

The Royal Horticultural Society is currently monitoring the levels of these pests in the UK. You can report your sighting here:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/science/help-our-research/rosemary-beetle