What is wrong with the leaves.... - Ask Extension
Can you tell me what has happened to the leaves of these plants? I have never had this before and this is a well established garden. Please advise.
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Knowledgebase
What is wrong with the leaves.... #463048
Asked June 17, 2018, 2:00 PM EDT
Can you tell me what has happened to the leaves of these plants? I have never had this before and this is a well established garden. Please advise.
Thank you!
Laurie
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hello and thank you for contacting AaE for help.
This is probably the work of the Four-lined plant bug. Their damage only affects the appearance of plants. They do not destroy them unless there is a huge population of them which does happen in some years. The best thing to do is to cut down their host plants during fall clean-up and bury the foliage. Here is a link to the U of MN Extension service article on Four-lined plant bugs where you can learn how to identify them, which plants are host plants and more.Good-luck!