Knowledgebase

Plants being eaten! #875090

Asked June 28, 2024, 11:25 AM EDT

I have never had this issue before, but this year nearly all of the plants in my backyard garden are being eaten by something - salvia, blueberry bush, creeping jenny, lantana, sage, strawberries, zinnias etc. It is very widespread and both in the yard and in potted plants on my porch. Any idea what this is and how to stop it? Also how to prevent in the future? I talked to someone at the garden center and was recommended an organic spray with the active ingredient being sesame oil. He said apply daily, but the bottle says once a month-ish.

Wake County North Carolina

Expert Response

You could have several things eating your plants and right now may be worse than previous years due to the weather. Insects get very hungry when it is hot and dry and can get moisture from eating leaves.  Your first photo looks like typical caterpillar damage.  The second photo looks like a leaf miner eating.  The third photo looks more like what I see on my Hibiscus leaves every summer and that is damage due to a sawfly, which isn’t really a fly but has a larval stage similar to a caterpillar. Control for all would be a general insecticide or if you don’t want to use a chemical, then a general use horticultural oil should work.  Most of these insects only cause aesthetic damage and don’t normally kill the plant. You need to decide what level of damage you can live with.  As always, follow the label directions, especially in this heat, as most products have temperature limits on when it can be applied.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 01, 2024, 7:42 AM EDT

Loading ...