Fluffy grey juvenile bay suckers on the underside of a bay leaf that has a brown/yellow egde damaged by the infestation.

Bay leaf suckers

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Sunday, 24 March 2019 at 3:00 pm

Learn about damaging bay suckers in our expert guide.

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In mid-spring, 2mm-long, greenish-brown, adult bay suckers emerge from overwintering. They feed on young bay (Laurus nobilis) leaves, turning them yellow and making the edges thicken and curl. The females then lay eggs under the curling edges and the new, young grey insects - which have a fluffy white covering - carry on feeding on the sap, prolonging the problem. Prolific breeding in summer means the symptoms don't disappear.

Symptoms

Young, winged, sap-feeding insects attack young bay foliage, discolouring and distorting it.

Find it on

bay leaves

Organic

Minor attacks can be tackled by promptly removing all affected leaves. Also, destroy any that fall on the ground, as these can still carry the eggs or adults.

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