beech hedge bug

clodagh mc donald asked 16 years ago

hi gerry, i was clipping my 3yr old beech hedge yesterday and i noticed a bright white fluffy insect on some of it. what should i do?? worried…

1 Answers

Gerry Daly Staff answered 6 years ago
Beech hedges commonly get attacked by beech aphid, a form of wool-covered greenfly that affects beech. A light attack has little effect but a severe infestation in a dry summer on young plants can halt growth.

 The foliage can be distorted, discoloured and turn black with sooty moulds growing on the greenflies’ exudate. Watch it develop and ladybirds and other predators usually arrive, but if not control may be necessary, using a systemic insecticide.

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