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Ants
ogster
Posts: 88
Happy New Year people, thats how long its been since being on here.
Ive just been inspecting the new growth on my delphiniums and noticed that some of the leaves have had what looks like patches cut out of them, i have also noticed that the ants are already active within the soil. I immediately thought about they had done the damage and went onto the Ladybird Plantcare website to buy some Ant nematodes. However according to their website, ants do not like growing green foliage. With it still being cold outside I cannot imagine any other pest being active at this time of year? Opinions and answers please.
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Last year I had ants in my compost bin. They made the most amazing friable compost, I hope they come back.
What are the shapes cut out the leaves? IF its a fairly regular semi-circle each time, you're looking at Mason Bees. If they are deep cuts from the edge, maybe some sort of early beetle? If its just random big lumps, more than likely slugs, the beggars.
I cant really describe the shapes Jimmy, its more like little nibbles have been taken instead of large pieces, hence why i thought of the ants, are Mason Bees active at this time of year? Bearing in mind I live in Lincolnshire so spring is always late?
Vine weevil adults are emerging at the moment, but they usually nibble the edges of leaves. How big are these holes?
Another possibility is delphinium moth caterpillars:
http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/problem-solving/check-your-delphiniums-for-caterpillars/307127.html
Looks like I am going to have to buy nematodes for two pests then lol, they arent holes as such Bob just edges of individual leaves have bits missing, hence why I thought Ants.??
We talking about cuts that look like that?
Sorry for the delay Jimmy was trying to upload a photo, as you can imagine with Delphiniums, not quite like that but similar, and smaller, but not all leaves, one or two only.