Shrub Insects

Cherry laurel shrubs are widely-grown evergreens but are vulnerable to several problems. Shrubs can be damaged by pest and disease issues as well as stress from their environment. Learn how to care for these shrubs and manage conditions that cause damage.

A wide variety of caterpillars can eat the leaves of trees and shrubs. Learn about caterpillar identification and management, although most can be ignored since they do not cause serious damage to the plant.

Sawfly damage is done by larvae that resemble caterpillars. These insects feed in groups and can be found chewing the leaves of a variety of plants including roses, dogwoods, hibiscus, columbine, birch, and pines.

Be on the lookout for a new pest of boxwoods. Box tree moth caterpillars chew the leaves of boxwood plants and can cause complete defoliation. Boxwoods are their only host plant. This pest has been found in several US states, and was first detected in Maryland in July 2025. If you find it, please report it to us.

Needled evergreens are the preferred host plants of bagworms, but they can also feed on the foliage of deciduous trees and shrubs.

Learn how to identify and manage Indian wax scale insects.

Learn about how scale insects are classified and how they feed, and how to effectively manage populations that cause plant damage.