Ligustrums are hardy plants ideally adapted to conditions in the Southeast. Generally fast growing, ligustrums, or privets, are available in a variety of leaf forms, shades of green, and growth habits. Southern nurserymen produce 660,000 ligustrums each year. As a rule, ligustrums require little care, although at least two weevils, white peach scale, and rust mites occasionally cause problems.

KEY TO COMMON AND IMPORTANT LIGUSTRUM PESTS

1. Japanese weevil -Little, chunky, dark beetles with pale bands across the back chewing notches from leaf margins during the day; occasionally present in large numbers.

2. Ligustrum weevil -Little, shiny brownish-yellow beetles that feed by chewing oblong holes in leaves late at night.

3. Privet rust mite -Foliage dull, russeted, and cupped; microscopic mites are present in large numbers in the growing season.

4. White peach scale -Round, dingy-white scales with yellow exuviae in the center (2 mm across) and slender, pure-white scales 2 mm long on bark, twigs, and sometimes leaves.

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