Whats eating my sunflowers??

Twa_Pehs · July 2023

I have six sunflowers that seemed to be doing very well until now. I have been away for a few days and saw the damage on four of them this evening when I got back. On inspection I found tiny white eggs on three of the leaves and also a tiny white moth inside a leaf that had folded over itself. I have squished the eggs and blasted them off with the hose.

I googled various answers but now I have a long list of things it could be and I have no idea where to start. I'd like to tackle this and keep these flowers going if I can. They are currently all between 160 - 180cm and looking nice and strong in the stems.

Whats doing this and am I going to have to go out in the dark with a headlamp to catch the culprit(s) in the act!?

This is the first time I have grown sunflowers and I am pretty attached to them, I would hate to lose them.

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bertrand-mabel · July 2023

That is very intensive for you being away for a few days. Have to say slugs/snails damage but you saw eggs. Not known that butterflies damaging our sunflowers with eggs and then caterpillars...all too quick.

Sheps · July 2023

You have what looks like leaf miner damage on images 3 and 4.

And aphid damage on image 5 .

Fairygirl · July 2023

Slugs, and then what @Sheps says.

Dovefromabove · July 2023

You have nature in your garden … wildlife … your sunflowers look quite well grown … they should be able to cope ok with a few insects now. Don’t worry about it at this stage 😊
Without insects for them to feed on we won’t have any birds. 😞

Twa_Pehs · July 2023

Thanks folks.

I think I had a bit of a panic when I saw it as it seemed quite a lot in a short space of time. If its just aesthetic damage I can cope with that and quite happily co-exist with the beasties. I've taken off the damaged leaves and any slugs or I spot will be promptly dispatched!

Whats eating my sunflowers??

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