Viburnum Leaf Beetle
The Viburnum Leaf Beetle Citizen Science Project has already gathered information useful not only to scientists, but to gardeners. The data people have sent in has helped scientists determine which viburnums are least susceptible to this non-native pest.
Unfortunately, the least susceptible tend to be non-native viburnums and the most susceptible are some of the native viburnums most important to wildlife (as well as very attractive landscaping plants.)
The year before the arrival of the beetle in our area, I had purchased three quite expensive arrowwood viburnums (Viburnum dentatum) - only to discover the next year that that particular variety is one of their favorites! A few years later, the bushes were dead, having been repeatedly stripped of their leaves. (See photo.) So I'm motivated to participate in this one.
What will be interesting to find out is whether the beetle is in a downward trend, having eliminated much of its host plant. I would guess that the populations of beetles and viburnums will tend to seesaw in the future, but we'll see - by using our citizen science data!
Last updated: 01/28/2009
