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What is only eating my sage?

Islander-OliverIslander-Oliver Posts: 9
in Problem solving
I've had a conundrum that I'm not sure on, I've tried observing my herb beds to check what it might be, but I'm not sure what it could be!

My sage (salvia officinallis 'Berggarten' and 'Purpurascens') have been eaten quite extensively over the last few days (3 purple sages were the main choice, with two young and newly hardened off common sages having a few bites taken out of).

They have largely confined themselves to the herb bed containing (for the moment) just purple sage, common sage, and fever few. Although there is one or two bites on my main sage patch (located next to rosemary, the other side of the patch has thyme, coriander, and parsley.) Only my sage has been nibbled, all others remain healthy and strong.

Our garden is normally pest free thanks to an abundance of birds and wildlife keeping normal pests in check (not once seen a slug or slug trail or ever seen an aphid in person!) Has anyone got any suggestions? These beds do contain worms, the occasional woodlouse, and rarely I'll see an ant scuttle by (in another bed adjacent to this with Marigolds in).

Photos for reference below:
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Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    There is a sage beetle, but they're big enough and shiny enough to spot. Apparently they're quite partial to rosemary too.
    Have you noticed anything like that?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    What does the underside of the leaf look like? It has the look of a leaf miner or small caterpillar that eats between the veins. 
  • Islander-OliverIslander-Oliver Posts: 9
    edited May 2021
    @Bijdezee if it is caterpillar, when I can't be upset as they're worth it for butterflies! Although I would like some sage left for myself! Would there be any recommendations to help them choose other plants or get them to avoid this herb bed? I'm currently growing pot marigolds too, but they're in a bed adjacent to these. Here is the under-side of the leaves, they are in another bed to the rosemary (shown below):

  • Islander-OliverIslander-Oliver Posts: 9
    edited May 2021
    @B3 Here is the one sage that's been nibbled by the rosemary, and the rosemary that has some discolouration to the leaves (the others are green, healthy no bites, and are flowering)
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505

    This is  a rosemary beetle. They can be irridescent green too. They'll eat sage as well. I've has them and vigilant squashing works eventually. 
    keep an eye out for them just in case.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Islander-OliverIslander-Oliver Posts: 9
    @B3 I'll look out for those, is there anything they don't like to deter them from snacking on my herbs? Ideally plant wise, like l perhaps marigolds?
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited May 2021

    I got this off the RHS website

    Non-pesticide control

    • Where possible tolerate populations of beetles
    • Remove beetles by hand where practical this can help to keep beetle numbers below the level at which serious damage occurs. With the taller forms of rosemary and lavender, the beetles and larvae can be collected by tapping or shaking the branches over newspaper spread underneath the plant
    • Encourage wildlife in the garden, such as birds, frogs and predatory ground beetles who will eat the larvae and sometimes adult beetles.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Islander-OliverIslander-Oliver Posts: 9
    I spotted a tiny white spider today, it was about a millimetre long, could that perhaps be what's nibbling away at the leaves?

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Could be. Has he any friends? You have a lot of damage for one tiny spider.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Spiders are carnivores, so not that.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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