Marianne's Response

What is wrong with my Magnolia Tree

For the last 2 weeks my Little Gem Magnolia has been losing leafs that appear to be infested.

Posted by Cynthia Winchester on May 15, 2022

Marianne's Response

I cannot be sure without seeing the pest but it could be the larvae of a butterfly or moth as the damage looks like bite marks rather than sucking damage from aphid or scale. You can try to look on the undersides of the leaf or go out at night with a flashlight to catch the culprit. The good news is the damage will be temporary if it is a caterpillar as the larvae will soon turn into a cocoon. You can try spraying with Bt which is a beneficial bacteria that will control the wormy critters or a spray of Neem oil. Most likely if you do nothing the damage will stop in a few weeks. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti