Potential moth larvae on plant

[Popsicle30]

Hi,

My mum thinks that one of my plants has moth larvae on and she has said it’s best to cut it down and hopefully will re-grow next year. Before I do it I thought I’d check if there are any other solutions/sprays etc?

I think the plant is Rose of Sharon

Many thanks in advance

Moth larvae are caterpillars.

What do these larvae look like?

Can you see the stickiness on the leaves. This is what my mum said she thinks it is so just taking what she said. Want to check before I cut them back.

Stickiness is unlikely to be a moth larvae, more likely from honeydew excreted by aphids or scale insects. Moth larvae, caterpillars produce little pellets of poo called frass. Check the plant for aphids and also any plants growing above it. The honeydew can fall and cover the stuff beneath. Anyone who has parked beneath a lime tree and come back to a sticky car will know about that.

The stickiness and the aphids can be rinsed off with a hosepipe.