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Rhubarb leaves being eaten

PennypitstopPennypitstop Posts: 29
in Plants
My rhubarb leaves are being eaten they are full of large holes and some of them have almost disappeared, i thought they were poisonous and safe from pests ! any ideas what or who could be doing this ? Thank you

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Probably just slugs and snails.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • SuesynSuesyn Posts: 664
    Mine have a brown hairy catapillar on them which I assume will turn into a beautiful butterfly,  or not. Either way I am happy to let them enjoy the rhubarb leaves, after all I wasn't going to eat them,! Not so happy about the tomato moth caterpillar in the greenhouse who eat the tomatoes as well as the leaves. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't think many creatures suffer from eating them - apart from humans!
    Most likely slugs/snails, as @wild edgessays - they certainly eat them.

    Possibly a moth you have @Suesyn. Have you got a photo of it? I love the big hairy caterpillars  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BrexiteerBrexiteer Posts: 955
    Fairygirl said:
    I don't think many creatures suffer from eating them - apart from humans!
    Most likely slugs/snails, as @wild edgessays - they certainly eat them.

    Possibly a moth you have @Suesyn. Have you got a photo of it? I love the big hairy caterpillars  :)
    What about big hairy men ☺
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Most of my rhubarb leaves have become detached from the crown now.  The leaves are turning yellow, decaying rapidly.  There are no visible signs of insects, so I am not overly concerned. The crowns are fairly tough and I am sure will begin again in the Spring.  In the meantime do I just cover the crowns with compost or manure to see them through the winter - seems ridiculous doing any overwintering now whilst the temperature is still upper teens - twenties.
  • PennypitstopPennypitstop Posts: 29
    Definitely slugs and snail, now we have had some rain they are coming out in there droves ! I will be out there picking them up, the battle begins !!! Thank you for replies :) 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    BirminghamMarc1972 said:
    Fairygirl said:
    I don't think many creatures suffer from eating them - apart from humans!
    Most likely slugs/snails, as @wild edgessays - they certainly eat them.

    Possibly a moth you have @Suesyn. Have you got a photo of it? I love the big hairy caterpillars  :)
    What about big hairy men ☺
    What about them?  :*

    Glad you've solved it @Pennypitstop. Now you just have to spend countless hours keeping them away  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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