Defoliated Blueberry Bushes

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ashbee York, United States May 27, 2015

My poor blueberry bushes just can't get ahead. I planted two last year, and they suffered serious rabbit browse damage. The original 2 came back great in the spring, and I planted another one (because blueberries), but now something is in the process of eating them again.

This seems to be caterpillar/insect damage. At least it's not consistent with the rabbit damage from last year. No twigs nipped off neatly--the leaves are just gone. I haven't caught anything in the act yet. Has anyone had experience with this sort of damage, and how have the bushes fared, especially when young?

Exhibits A, B, and C: One partially defoliated bush within the last 24 hours, one completely defoliated, and one untouched (so far).

Thumbnail by ashbee Thumbnail by ashbee Thumbnail by ashbee
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robotmommy Verona, PA(Zone 6b) May 27, 2015

That looks more like animal damage. I was under the impression that insects typically took "bites" out of leaves - I've never seen an insect do that to any type of plant. Over what length of time did that happen?

My blueberry survived being completely defoliated by deer in early spring, but it didn't bounce back until the following year.

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) May 27, 2015

Quick! Go put a fence around them!

If it is a larger animal that will stop them. You are right to look for twig damage, though. I would think smaller animals (rabbit??) might be capable of eating the leaves without touching the stems. But deer would take the whole growing tip, with leaves and stems.

If a fence does not stop the damage, then something can get through the fence.

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ashbee York, United States May 28, 2015

The damage happens fast...seemingly overnight. I'm definitely going to put a fence up ASAP.

After the rabbits/mice/voles/deer chewed down everything I'd planted last year, I assumed they'd back off in spring...well. "Fool me once..."!

Looks like we'll be going to the local farm for another year, haha.

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ashbee York, United States Jun 04, 2015

Update: It's definitely rabbits. I saw four fat ones sitting in the neighbor's yard the other evening, staring at me audaciously, just waiting for me to leave so they could dine on their favorite plant. I've named the rabbits "Stu."

So, lesson learned. During the fall/winter, rabbits will eat blueberries down to sticks, but are choosier in the spring and will only eat the leaves.

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