Bay leaf suckers

in : Problems: Veg & herbs

Symptoms

Young, winged, sap-feeding insects attack young bay foliage, discolouring and distorting it.
Find it on bay leaves
Time to act mid- and late-spring

Problem categories

Overview

In mid-spring, 2mm-long, greenish-brown, adult bay suckers emerge from overwintering. They feed on young bay leaves, turning them yellow and making the edges thicken and curl. The females then lay eggs under the curling edges and the new, young grey insects - which have a fluffy white covering - carry on feeding on the sap, prolonging the problem. Prolific breeding in summer means the symptoms don't disappear.
Solution
Young, winged, sap-feeding insects attack young bay foliage, discolouring and distorting it.
Organic
Minor attacks can be tackled by promptly removing all affected leaves. Also, destroy any that fall on the ground, as these can still carry the eggs or adults.
Chemical
Significant attacks are best tackled by spraying the plant with thiacloprid, a systemic insecticide, the moment the symptoms appear. Wait a minimum of two weeks after spraying before using leaves in the kitchen.

Discuss this problem

Talkback: Bay leaf suckers
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Avril 24/11/2011 at 15:27

I asked a question about my bay tree and can't find out where Q & A's are

Where do I look please

email ajc.lb@btinternet.com

Thanks

Avril

gw1234 24/11/2011 at 15:27

Pretty good article

margaretjones 24/11/2011 at 15:28

The bay leaf sucker problem was fantastic. I've never heard of them before and having searched the internet and even been down to my local nursery (who couldn't identify the pest) I fell on this article by accident. I've picked off all the affected leaves and sprayed the rest of the bay tree with Bayer "Provado" which contains thiacloprid as recommended by you. Fingers crossed!
Maggie

sandradale21 24/11/2011 at 15:28

Like margaretjones I hadn't been able to find any info on what was affecting my bay. It's only a small bush so I'll try the organic route first.

edyta.ataman 24/11/2011 at 15:28

Hi there ! I got eight well establisht bay trees in pots to rescue, thanks to this article I found out what was wrong with them.Unfortunelly my case was very serious and advanced. I removed all infected leaves leaving poor bay trees bare, every single leave was infected. And I dont really know what to do next I wanted to replant them in bigger pots but I dont know if thats not gonna be too much for them to bare.When the new leaves will grow? shoud I spray them aswell ?Please Help !

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