I have two Japanese Maples 'Shaina' which were recommended as container plants for full sun. One of the two was in full sun at the time of purchase from the nursery, the other was in the somewhat sheltered greenhouse when I purchased it. They both did well for the first few weeks in my backyard. Now, however, I have noticed that the leaves look as though they are being eaten by some sort of pest. The only thing I find on them once in a while are flies. I have given the Maples a systemic pesticide in the hopes that whatever pest is annoying them will quickly disappear. Still I find the new leaves are being eaten. So, if anyone out there has an idea what this problem could be and how to remedy it, I would be most grateful. Thank you.
Its really hard to know unless you find the cilprit. Many time night flying beetles are the culprit. You might try something like Neem Oil directly on the leaves. I had a maple that was losing leaves to some unknown creature, only to discover I had been looking at it all along. It was a caterpillar that was shaped and colored like the eaten and slightly browned edge of a leaf. The camoflauge was perfect! It also positions itself to follow the countour of the leaf, so its very difficult to spot. This creature diguses itself as an eaten leaf edge, all the while it is the one doing the eating! Nature is amazing...
You have been most helpful. The night flying beetles are something I hadn't considered. I thought of the Caterpillar idea, and I know how good they are at camouflage, so I looked very closely only to find nothing. Perhaps I should take another look after this new information you've given me. Thanks a bunch.
