Knowledgebase

What is eating my plants #873766

Asked June 19, 2024, 12:19 PM EDT

What is eating my plants?

Genesee County Michigan

Expert Response

Thank you, Vicki, for your question!
  It is most annoying when something tries to eat your beautiful plants. Your pictures show most of the chewing occurring on the edges of the leaves, telling me that the culprit is climbing up (or wiggling up) and chewing. I also see that there are "hiding places" for insects to hang out during the day- fence posts, the edge of the house or garage, and clay tile. Your pictures also tell me they are prone to eat leaves that are somewhat thinner than your last picture which shows a plant whose leaves are thicker.  
   My first inclination is to blame earwigs for this chewing. The following article and you tube video explains all about how to eliminate.
Earwigs: Bane of summer garden plants - MSU Extension
How to Trap Earwigs (youtube.com)

There are a number of insects, beetles or caterpillars that chew leaves. If the culprit was not earwigs use the following tips to narrow down the list of possible suspects. 
  •    Examine the whole plant to gather more clues. Look on the underside of the leaves to see if there are any worms or small immature (nymphs) insects. Oftentimes they will leave small black drops of excrement or possibly a white web like material.
  • If you see nothing try making a tape loop (sticky side out using cellophane tape) where the leaf connects to the stem of the plant. Place more than one "trap" on the plants that are being chewed. Leave on for a few days to see if you can trap anything. 
  • Fashion a "liquid trap" using a small (4 to 6 oz) plastic cup and pour about 1-2 inches of sweetened liquid (beer is often used) into it. Sink this plastic cup into the ground so that only 1-2 inches remain above ground close to your affected plants, If it rains, or you employ overhead irrigation this will need to be refreshed to be effective. 
  • Oftentimes the nocturnal insects like a place to hang out during the day. Place a piece of moistened cardboard close to your plants. Having a container of soapy water on hand in the morning, turn your cardboard over and be ready to scrap your culprits into the soapy water. 
   Hopefully any one of these methods will help you identify what is eating your plants.   The following two resources will help to narrow down what might be eating your plants.
What insect is this? : Garden : University of Minnesota Extension (umn.edu)
Fruit and vegetable insects | UMN Extension
  
In closing the following article may help in reducing garden pests while encouraging beneficial (the good guys) insects into your garden.
Smart Gardening: Integrated pest management in vegetable gardens - Gardening in Michigan (msu.edu)
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 23, 2024, 11:09 PM EDT

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