Beginner Gardening: Little worms eating perennial hibiscus, 1 by hcmcdole

hcmcdole wrote:
That is probably the insidious Mallow Sawfly. They make lace paper out of my hardy hibiscus and some damage on Rose of Sharon (same family). I wished I had taken action 3 or 4 years ago when I first started noticing them as I believe the longer you wait (years) the worse they become.

I have tried Orchard Spray (pyrethrin and sulfur) with some success but not enough to eliminate them all together. Even tried a little Spinosad which has some control but not enough. Problem is spraying under the leaves and getting the adults for the next wave of attack.

Horrible look but the flowers still bloom nicely and the plant puts out new leaves. GRRR!

Hardy Hibiscus that looks like lace paper, Rose of Sharon that doesn\'t look much better, and the adult mallow sawfly. GRRR!