Crape Myrtles grow easily in all kinds of conditions and don’t usually need much (if any) help from us. Still, that doesn’t mean your Crape Myrle is immune to pest activity. If it looks like something is eating or causing damage to your Crape Myrtle, you’ll want to deal with it as soon as possible.
The most common Crape Myrtle pests include aphids, Japanese beetles, and bark scale. Powdery mildew and sooty mold can also affect your Crape Myrtle though they’re not traditional pests. Depending on the pest or disease, you can take steps to help your Crape Myrtle recover and thrive.
This article will discuss the different pests your Crape Myrtle may encounter and what you can do about it. You’ll also learn how to identify and deal with some of the most common insects and diseases affecting Crape Myrtles.
Is Something Eating Your Crape Myrtle?
All kinds of issues can cause symptoms similar to what you might find with pest activity, meaning that it’s not always easy to diagnose the problem. For example, leaf loss, discoloration, and damaged foliage can indicate the presence of pests, over or under-watering, or even severe weather.
So, how do you know if something is eating your Crape Myrtle for lunch? If you notice holes in your Crape Myrtle’s leaves, edges that look like something nibbled on them, or missing leaves that you don’t see laying on the ground underneath the tree, these can all indicate the presence of a hungry pest. Leaves that look like skeletons also indicate that something’s been eating the foliage.
However, sometimes the damage is more subtle. Some insects lay their eggs on or in branches or leaves, then the hungry larvae munch on your plant when they hatch. This can result in smaller spots on your leaves or other less obvious symptoms.
What Wildlife Eats Crape Myrtles?
Thankfully, Crape Myrtles aren’t a top choice for hungry animals. They’re non-toxic to humans and animals, but they must not be very tasty because you won’t normally find any warm-blooded critters eating their leaves and stems. Even the usual suspects like deer and rabbits typically leave Crape Myrtles alone. That makes these trees perfect for landscapes with frequent wildlife visitors.
However, several species of birds eat Crape Myrtle seeds during the fall and winter months. Specifically, goldfinches, cardinals, sparrows, and house finches regularly visit Crape Myrtle trees to eat their seeds.
Which Insects Eat Crape Myrtles?
When it comes to Crape Myrtle pest damage, some of the most likely culprits are insects. Of course, these trees probably aren’t the most vulnerable within your landscape, but there’s still the possibility of becoming a bug’s lunch. There are a handful of insects that like to munch on Crape Myrtle foliage and others that cause damage to the plant’s woody parts.
Crape Myrtle Aphids
Crape Myrtle aphids are tiny insects measuring only about 1/16 of an inch long. They’re typically yellowish-green in color and have dark spots on the abdominal area. These aphids look different from standard aphids that you may see on other plants around your yard.
Crape Myrtle aphids only feed on Crape Myrtles, so you don’t have to worry about them infesting other plants in your landscape. However, they can cause quite a bit of unsightly damage to your Crape. These insects feed on sap from the Crape Myrtle leaves by inserting their mouthparts and sucking out the sap while injecting their saliva into the plant at the same time. Their saliva is what causes yellow leaf spots.
The aphids also leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew. If the infestation is large, the honeydew can fully coat leaves, affecting the plant’s appearance and attracting other insects like flies, ants, and wasps. Furthermore, the honeydew can lead to sooty mold developing, which causes even more problems for the Crape Myrtle.
Treating Aphids
The simplest way to rid your garden of aphids is to let nature do the work for you. Beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings will feast on your aphid population. If you don’t have hosts of healthy insects hanging around your gardens, you can always purchase them online and release them into your trees.
Neem oil and horticultural oils are also excellent options to combat an aphid infestation. And for a little more oomph, mix in a peppermint Castille soap before spraying Neem oil on your plants.
Japanese Beetles
If you notice leaf skeletons or believe that something is munching on your Crape Myrtle blooms, Japanese Beetles could be the culprits. These beetles are only about ½ inch long, and they’re a metallic brown color with a shiny green head.
Japanese Beetles typically come out to feed starting in late spring (around May) until late summer (around August). Then, they lay eggs in the soil during the fall months as the weather cools down. Beetle grubs can cause root damage as they hatch and move deeper into the soil in search of plants and grassroots to eat.
Treating Japanese Beetles
When it comes to a natural predator for Japanese Beetles, Nematodes are the way to go. Plus, they’ll get the problem at its source by controlling the pest at its grub stage in the ground.
Neem oil is also effective against Japanese Beetles, especially with the addition of castille soap. Even without the Neem, a simple solution of dish soap and water is often enough to kill these pests when sprayed.
Crape Myrtle Bark Scale
Bark scale is a more recent Crape Myrtle problem that has spread across the U.S. since the early 2000s. Crape Myrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae) can cause big problems for your tree if it gets out of control.
If you’re dealing with an infestation, you may notice light-colored (white or gray) waxy buildup on the Crape Myrtle’s woody parts. However, you probably won’t see anything on the leaves or foliage. You’ll generally find excessive buildup where branches meet or areas you’ve pruned. These insects will make their way underneath the Crape Myrtle’s bark, making them more difficult to control.
A big problem with Crape Myrtle bark scale is the amount of honeydew the insects produce. This sticky substance is left behind when the scale insects are feeding. When the branches and leaves become coated with honeydew, it leaves the plant very susceptible to black sooty mold growth.
While the damage caused by Crape Myrtle bark scale may be unsightly, the good news is that an infestation won’t typically kill the plant. However, you’ll probably notice a reduction in vigor and fewer blooms.
Treating Bark Scale
Unfortunately, Bark scale is not an easy pest to eradicate. Because this pest is relatively new to the garden scene, gardeners are still working on the best remedies.
Scrubbing the trunk with a soft brush dipped in a dish soap and water solution can be helpful at removing many of the female scale and their egg masses, plus it gets rid of some of the sooty mold that shows up as a result of the scale. After gently scrubbing down your tree bark, use an insecticide on the soil as a drench.
Crape Myrtle Flea Beetles
These small beetles get their name from their ability to jump like a flea. The scientific name is Altica litigata, but Crape Myrtle flea beetles are also sometimes called primrose flea beetles, evening primrose flea beetles, or primrose willow flea beetles.
You can identify these insects by their dark metallic blue-green color and the damage they leave behind on your Crape Myrtle leaves. They’re known to chew irregularly shaped holes in foliage and tend to congregate on the underside of leaves. The good news is that only adult beetles eat Crape Myrtles, so you don’t have to worry about larval damage, though their grubs do eat leaves of other affected plants in the primrose family.
Treating Flea Beetles
Because of this pest’s ability to move around quickly, Flea Beetles can be tough to handle. A combination of yellow sticky traps and Neem oil is most likely your best shot.
To deter Flea Beetles from finding your Crape Myrtle in the first place, make sure to keep the area around the tree clear of debris and weeds. This will minimize the food sources for the beetle and will discourage them from sticking around.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are very common plant pests. Part of the spider family, these mites cause damage to foliage by feeding on leaves. You may notice small dots at first, until the mites cause enough damage for the entire leaf to change color and eventually die.
Spider mites are very small, but you may be able to catch a glimpse of them on the underside of your Crape Myrtle’s leaves, like tiny dots that leave bits of webbing behind. Just a few mites here and there isn’t really anything to worry about, but a larger infestation can cause significant problems for your Crape. These insects thrive in hot and dry climates and especially like to live in dusty conditions. If your Crape Myrtle becomes water-stressed, it may be extra vulnerable to spider mite damage.
Treating Spider Mites
Lacewing bugs and lady beetles are both predatory to Spider Mites. Introducing some of these beneficial bugs will help to keep Spider Mites at bay naturally.
Horticultural oils and Neem oil are both effective against Spider Mites. The trick here is identifying the problem. Because these pests are so small, you can often have a real infestation on your hands before you know what hit you.
Other Crape Myrtle Problems
Crape Myrtles may experience other infestations and issues besides just becoming lunch for various insects. Diseases caused by different molds and fungi are equally problematic for your plant’s health. Furthermore, pest problems can lead to other diseases that can harm your Crape Myrtle and vice versa.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is one of the most common issues you’ll find on Crape Myrtles. This condition is caused by the fungus Erysiphe lagerstroemiae, and it causes powdery growth to cover leaves, flowers, shoots, and other plant parts. Powdery mildew can result in decreased blooms or cause flowers to not open. It can lead to stunted growth and overall poor plant health.
The condition is most commonly found on Crape Myrtles that don’t get enough sunshine and in damp areas where the plants may be overcrowded. Poor air circulation is a big contributor to the development and spread of powdery mildew. Luckily, there are several Crape Myrtle cultivars that are resistant to powdery mildew, so be sure to check the label when you’re purchasing a new Crape.
Sooty Mold
The presence of sooty mold often indicates an insect problem. The black substance grows on the sugary secretions (called honeydew) left behind by aphids and other pests. The good news is that sooty mold typically doesn’t harm the plant, though it can be pretty unsightly.
Aphid infestations typically go hand-in-hand with sooty mold problems, so controlling one usually helps control the other. For example, the presence of beneficial insects like ladybugs can assist with getting rid of aphids. That will, in turn, reduce the honeydew left behind for sooty mold to develop.
Common culprits that can lead to the development of sooty mold on your Crape Myrtle (or other plants in your landscape) include Aphids, Scale insects, Mealybugs and Whiteflies.
Lichens
Lichens are organisms that, much like sooty mold, cause mainly cosmetic damage. Still, lichens typically develop on plants that are already suffering from problems impacting their overall health or vigor. So, it’s not uncommon to see lichens on the branches or trunks of trees and plants suffering from another pest infestation.
Lichens are a combination of fungi and green algae or cyanobacterium living together as a single organism. They look like gray crusty growth on the woody parts of your Crape Myrtle and may sometimes have a green leafy appearance.
Treating Fungal Infections
When it comes to getting rid of any type of fungal issue, fungicide is the best route. Options like this one are excellent at killing the fungi without harming your tree. Just be sure to apply as stated in the directions on the package.
Protecting Crape Myrtles from Pests
As with most plants, the best protection for your Crape Myrtle is to keep it healthy. Many pests, like the ones we discussed here, often target plants that are already weak or stressed. So, simply ensuring that your Crape Myrtle is getting plenty of water and sunshine will help eliminate some of the concerns we’ve discussed. Still, there may be a point where the pest problem gets out of hand, and you need to protect your Crape Myrtle from further damage. In that case, there are some steps you can take.
Encourage Natural Predators
For insect pests like aphids, Japanese beetles, and bark scale, introducing natural predators like ladybugs, ladybug larvae, green lacewings, and parasitic wasps can help control aphid populations. Ladybugs and mealybug destroyers can help control Crape Myrtle bark scale.
Manually Remove Pests
A stream of water can knock pests like aphids and some beetles off the leaves of your Crape Myrtle. Though it can be tiresome with a large infestation, physically removing pests from your plants should be your first line of defense. Turn your water hose on a level that is heavy enough to dislodge stubborn bugs but won’t break limbs, leaves or flowers and spray your tree all over.
Be Cautious with Insecticides
Remember that insecticides kill unwanted pests and beneficial insects like ladybugs and pollinators. If you decide to use chemicals, be sure to purchase something that targets just the pest you’re trying to eliminate. Insecticidal soap and Neem oil are good options that won’t harm natural predators.
Another option for Crape Myrtle bark scale is to drench the soil with dinotefuran. This insecticide is most effective against the pest and is safer than spraying insecticides all over your Crape Myrtle. Plus, if you have a big, tall tree, you may not be able to reach the top part with a standard spray.
To read more about options to spray on your Crape Myrtles to combat pest infestations, read Six Options for Treating Your Crape Myrtles and Controlling Pests This Year.
Pest Resistant Crape Myrtles
Some cultivars are more resistant to pests than others, so if you’re in the market for a new tree, you may want to consider one of these varieties.
Crape Myrtle Variety (examples) | Resistant to… |
Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei hybrids | Powdery mildew, Aphids |
Apalache | Powdery mildew, Aphids |
Fantasy | Powdery mildew, Cercospora leaf spot, Aphids |
Cherokee | Powdery mildew (some resistance) |
Tonto | Cercospora leaf spot & Aphids |
Muskogee | Aphids |
Natchez | Aphids |
Tuskegee | Aphids |
Hopi | Aphids |
How to Treat Pest Damage on Your Crape Myrtle
After you get the pest problem under control, you’ll likely want to deal with any of the cosmetic damage left behind on your Crape Myrtle. The good news is that these trees and shrubs are incredibly resilient, and in many cases, you don’t have to do much to help them get back to their former beauty.
Plenty of sunshine is one way to both control pests and treat damage. Crape Myrtles need sunlight to thrive, and cool, shady areas with poor airflow harbor pests. Sometimes, you may need to do some light pruning to thin out your Crape’s canopy.
But before you bring out the pruning shears, check out this article to learn everything you need to know about pruning your Crape Myrtle. Aside from sunshine, Crape Myrtles just need water and maybe a light fertilizer to stay happy and healthy.
So, even if your Crape has suffered some unsightly pest damage, once the problem is resolved, your tree should come back within a season. You may experience a summer of stunted blooms, but as long as you get the pest problem under control, your Crape Myrtle should spring back by next year.
Putting It All Together
Pest damage can cause a helpless feeling, especially if you don’t know what’s causing it. Luckily, your Crape Myrtle is not a top choice for most pests in your landscape. Still, it could be susceptible to leaf damage from insects like aphids, Japanese beetles, scale insects, spider mites, and others.
The presence of beneficial insects like ladybugs is a good sign of your lawn and garden’s health. These are natural predators for many of the pests that impact Crape Myrtles, so you should make every effort to encourage and preserve them. Avoid using commercial insecticides that kill all insects and instead use natural products that won’t harm helpful insects and pollinators.
Your Crape Myrtle is also at risk for other diseases like sooty mold and powdery mildew. These problems typically go hand-in-hand with pest infestations, so controlling one usually takes care of the other. In any case, the best protection for your Crape Myrtle is prevention. Keeping it healthy with the right amount of water, plenty of sunshine, and proper pruning will make your Crape less of a target for pests in your landscape.