Snowball tree pest

I have a total destruction of the leaves on my snowball tree this year..the pest looks like a small grub or catipillar,..I have been washing the leaves with green palmolive soap solution but it does not help..can anyone suggest a next step

 

Viburnum leaf beetle via Cornell will have all the information you need.

 

thank you..read thru the article but it does not recommend a brand of inceticidal sopa..any thoughts...

 

Insecticidal soap is 'brandless'. Any bottle labelled as such will prove just as effective.

 

thanks

 

Good day....Looks as if the larvae have done there bussiness on your vibernum. I went over to our local nursery in Chilliwack, BC and they mentioned that Malethion or Diazanon (spelling?) should work if mixed with water per directions and soaking the soil around the shrub base.

 

Right, but the most effective control doesn't require chemicals. From the Cornell site:

 

Looks like I have lost the battle.. a couple of questions..

Will the tree come back again in the spring

What can I do in the spring to prevent this again

Thanks

 

Yes, it is likely to come back. If you've ever seen the devastation of armyworms on the Prairies where they defoliate almost every single broadleaf tree and shrub, you'll be a bit more comforted to know that plants are resilient.

As for what you can do - see my previous note (requiring a bit of diligence and vigilance)

 

and Diazinon is not available nor registered for use in most of North America since like 2004. Malathion may do the job.