Will these pests kill my dogwood?

Usually no, but heavy defoliation weakens the plant over time. It is best to treat them as soon as you notice the damage.

Are these caterpillars?

They look like caterpillars, but they are actually sawfly larvae. They feed in groups, which is a key way to tell them apart from most moth caterpillars.

Variegated dogwood: pests, causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the undersides of damaged leaves for larvae.
Look for adult beetles on the foliage during the day.
Check if the damage is localized to one branch or spread across the whole plant.

Likely causes

Dogwood sawfly larvae
Most likely
How to tell: You will see clusters of yellow or pale green larvae eating the leaf tissue between the veins. This leaves behind a lace like skeleton of the leaf.
What to do: Pick the larvae off by hand if the infestation is small. For larger outbreaks, spray the foliage with insecticidal soap or neem oil, making sure to coat the undersides of the leaves.
Japanese beetles
Possible
How to tell: These metallic green beetles chew irregular holes in the leaves throughout the summer. They are usually active during the heat of the day.
What to do: Knock the beetles into a bucket of soapy water early in the morning when they are sluggish. Avoid using pheromone traps, as these often attract more beetles to your yard.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your variegated dogwood

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

If the larvae have skeletonized more than half of the foliage, the plant will struggle to store energy for winter. A few holes are normal and rarely kill a healthy shrub.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your dogwood healthy with consistent water and mulch to reduce stress. Monitor the plant weekly from June to August to catch larvae before they spread.

Variegated dogwood: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your variegated dogwood and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Will these pests kill my dogwood?: Usually no, but heavy defoliation weakens the plant over time. It is best to treat them as soon as you notice the damage.
Are these caterpillars?: They look like caterpillars, but they are actually sawfly larvae. They feed in groups, which is a key way to tell them apart from most moth caterpillars.

Guides to these causes

Japanese Beetles

Why are my variegated dogwood leaves being eaten?