Hi Zoey. I'm not sure what is eating your Black-Eyed Susans but we have had earwigs the last couple of years that have been eating plants and flowers. They are black bugs about 1/2 inch long and have what looks like pinchers on the front. They like damp places. You can try to Google earwigs and see what you find. I hope this helps, Barb
Hi Zoey- I've had an invasion on my black eyed Susans that looks like a cross between a cucumber beetle and a bee--I've not been able to find it in my bug book yet, but they're really doing a number on them. I'll let you know when I figure it out! Hope your weekend is going well (despite the destruction!)
Zoey, I'll betcha it's flea beetles, but I see in the background of the photo there is something on the leaf...is that a clue, perhaps something left behind by the culprit? If not, my money is on flea beetle. Spray the unopened bud with neem and they will leave them alone!
What a mess it's making of them. Most likely some kind of beetle. So aggravating to work so hard to get our blooms to have things destroy them. Cher Sunray Gardens
In my yard, that damage is rabbit damage. They eat the petals, then when they run out of petals, they eat the plant down to a nub! I have found they leave my Black Eyed Susans alone when they are planted near something strong-smelling (like the ones near my Russian Sage or near my Cleome).
I appreciate you taking the time and effort to leave a comment. I will try to answer any questions you have. Please note due to Blogger changing word verification so almost nobody can read it, I have had to change to no word verification and only allow registered users to comment.
Hi Zoey. I'm not sure what is eating your Black-Eyed Susans but we have had earwigs the last couple of years that have been eating plants and flowers. They are black bugs about 1/2 inch long and have what looks like pinchers on the front. They like damp places. You can try to Google earwigs and see what you find.
ReplyDeleteI hope this helps,
Barb
Hi Zoey-
ReplyDeleteI've had an invasion on my black eyed Susans that looks like a cross between a cucumber beetle and a bee--I've not been able to find it in my bug book yet, but they're really doing a number on them. I'll let you know when I figure it out!
Hope your weekend is going well (despite the destruction!)
Oh! That is awful! I don't know WHAT would do that type of damage! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteZoey, I'll betcha it's flea beetles, but I see in the background of the photo there is something on the leaf...is that a clue, perhaps something left behind by the culprit?
ReplyDeleteIf not, my money is on flea beetle. Spray the unopened bud with neem and they will leave them alone!
What a mess it's making of them. Most likely some kind of beetle. So aggravating to work so hard to get our blooms to have things destroy them.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
In my yard, that damage is rabbit damage. They eat the petals, then when they run out of petals, they eat the plant down to a nub! I have found they leave my
ReplyDeleteBlack Eyed Susans alone when they are planted near something strong-smelling (like the ones near my Russian Sage or near my Cleome).
hmmm I wonder....but they do making interesting photos...
ReplyDeletehttp://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/pastpest/200514g.html
ReplyDeleteMaybe the above described beetle is the culprit!