Can you ID what has been eating the veg?

Hi Claire,

Looking In my veg book,two things are possible,either flea beetle or caterpillar,not sure!

Hi doggie, maybe ponty will come on and offer an opinion.

Hi littleowl, I have checked for caterpillars - none yet but I think flea beetle is a possibility - thought originally it was the grubs of the beetle that did the damage. I'll check them out. Thanks.

Unknown said:

I would have thought if it doesn't get any worse than that the plants would be ok.

it has eaten into the core of some of the pak choi, destroyed two bean plants and has also had a go at the sunflower seedlings.

Hi Claire if flea beetle you should see little beetles jumping around like mad when you disturb them,slugs and snails do love Sunflowers.

michael s said:

Hi Claire if flea beetle you should see little beetles jumping around like mad when you disturb them,

I haven't spotted any beetles like that,Sooty. The only insect I have noticed on the plants is a large fly like thing about a centimetre in length that appeared to have a "beaklike" proboscis - I'll try to get a photo but I have not seen it for the past few days but am not sure whether or not it is the culprit.

Hi Claire,had a look in book veg doctor and seems most likely cause in order would be Woodlice,millipede,leatherjacket and we get lots of trouble with Woodlice eating our winter pansy flowers,think they may be eating our lettuce in greenhouse.You may not like it but seems only 2 ways to stop is for broken up slug pellets or maybe sprinkle ant killer where there movements are,hope this helps.

michael s said:

Woodlice,millipede,leatherjacket

Hi Sooty, maybe woodlice but not seen many around in the g'house. Thanks for taking time to look up.  I took a photo of an insect this morning which I have seen before on the plants and have started a new thread under "Ask a Question"

I would have thought flea beetle would make smaller holes - my money's on something larger, but what? My first thought was caterpillar. Jekka McVicar (she of the herbs) suggested a spray of garlic (put cloves of garlic into water (possible warm or hot, didn't take that in) leave for six hours at least then spray with handspray for aphids, maybe your nasty wouldn't like garlic either? Just a thought - not necessarily a good one, but a thought.

ClaireM said:

 

This is my first attempt to upload a photo, so not sure what will happen!!

Hi Claire

You did something different cos you loaded it twice. Once as a link and once as a photo. I've never seen that little linky thing before

I like Kezsmum's idea of spraying with a garlic mixture, and I hope that sorts out your pest.