Roy

there are around 3 leaf eating bugs for gum trees they all look similar to each other but surprisingly have different scientific names (don't have them to hand) they look a bit like an oversize lady bird, our method of treatment as to do an early morn' collectin and drop them into a bottle with some kero' in it same treatment for their larva when you find it.

these bugs can all but denude a tree of foliage but for the main the tree will revive over winter, i think the best control method is to attract the noisy miners into you garden they will take care of the larva and hence the beetle, the honey eaters will also help.

search for eucalyptus leaf eaters.

this may help

len

My Gums are being eaten as well. I think it is a Gum leaf skeletoniser, or a Callistemon sawfly.

Can you see the insect on the leaf munching away ?

I would just pick them off, if you can, or let the birds take care of them.

Using chemicals should only be a last resort, in my mind, or avoid using them.

I find "What Garden Pest or Disease is That", Judy McMaugh, a good reference book, for garden insects, and diseases of plants.

Popi