What’s Eating My Plants?
A hole in a leaf does not automatically tell you what caused it.
Different pests leave different clues.
Learning to recognize the pattern is often more useful than seeing the pest itself.
Start With the Damage
Ask:
- Are leaves being chewed?
- Are they skeletonized?
- Are there tiny holes?
- Are edges missing?
- Are leaves curled?
- Are stems damaged?
- Is fruit being punctured?
- Is the entire plant wilting?
Large Missing Sections
Likely suspects include:
- Caterpillars
- Hornworms
- Grasshoppers
- Beetles
- Deer
- Rabbits
Look for droppings, tracks, or feeding patterns.
Tiny Shot Holes
Small scattered holes often point toward:
- Flea beetles
- Small beetles
Young seedlings can be especially vulnerable.
Skeletonized Leaves
If most leaf tissue is gone but veins remain, think about:
- Japanese beetles
- Sawfly larvae
- Other chewing beetles
Curled or Sticky Leaves
Check for:
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
- Scale insects
Sticky residue called honeydew is a major clue.
Sudden Wilting
Possible causes include:
- Squash vine borers
- Root damage
- Cutworms
- Drought
- Root disease
Check the soil before assuming insects are responsible.
Fruit Damage
Look for:
- Stink bug punctures
- Squirrel bites
- Bird pecks
- Caterpillar feeding
- Rodent damage
Night Feeders
Some pests hide during the day.
Inspect after dark for:
- Slugs
- Snails
- Cutworms
- Earwigs
Look Under Leaves
Many pests and egg masses hide underneath foliage.
Check:
- Lower leaf surfaces
- Leaf joints
- Plant crowns
- Stem bases
Don’t Spray First
Identify first.
Some insects sitting on damaged plants are actually predators eating the real pest.
GardenGrowz Tip
The shape of the damage is often the first clue.
Treat the evidence like a little garden crime scene.