Swamp Rose Mallow

Question

My leaves are being eaten! What can I do? Hope the pic uploaded

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Answer 1

Possibly a greenish, hibiscus sawfly larvae damage. Early on humid mornings, you can find their greenish larvae on the bottom of the leaves, chewing between veins. Because they are not caterpillars, they cannot be controlled using organic pesticides like Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) but you could try spinosad (apply when bees are not active). For a bad infestation, you can also try hand squashing, insecticidal soaps or a systemic insecticide like Imidacloprid. They are most effective if you start applying in May-June per label directions. The damage is typically aesthetic only and would not normally kill the plant.