Lexi Webster
If you're finding holes in your rhubarb leaves, it could be the work of slugs, snails, leaf beetles, beetles, deer, or the Tarnished Plant Bug. These pests are the most common culprits for eating rhubarb leaves. To prevent damage, you can try slug traps, natural and organic insecticides and pesticides, or conventional chemical herbicides. Remember, the rhubarb plant is hardy and resistant, so unless there is a major infestation, you may not need to take any corrective measures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pest | Slugs, Snails, Leaf Beetles, Tarnished Plant Bugs, Caterpillars |
| Pest Characteristics | Yellow or white eggs, dark brown or black body with light yellow dust |
| Pest Size | 0.5 inches |
| Pest Occurrence | Throughout the rhubarb growing season |
| Pest Damage | Large holes in leaves, jagged edges, scars on stalks, curled or wilted leaves |
| Pest Prevention | Slug traps, natural/organic insecticides, pesticides, chemical herbicides, water and soap mixture, water and baking soda solution, cultivating soil in early spring, weeding, avoiding planting beside legumes |
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What You'll Learn
Slugs and snails
You can identify slug and snail activity by looking for slimy, transparent ovules on the soil, which indicate that they have laid their eggs. These eggs generally hatch within two weeks and will feed on your rhubarb for nutrition, so it is important to remove them as soon as possible. You can pour a mixture of water and soap or a water and baking soda solution onto the eggs, or simply churn the top layer of the soil with a gardening fork to destroy them.
To prevent slugs and snails from damaging your rhubarb, you can create slug traps using boards or bowls of beer. You can also introduce natural predators such as ducks, snakes, toads, ground beetles, and even predatory slugs. Another option is to use natural or organic insecticides and pesticides, or conventional chemical herbicides. However, always remember to shield your crop from contact with sprays.
If you prefer a more hands-on approach, the most effective and low-impact method is to hand-pick the slugs and snails, preferably at night or early morning when they are most active. You can then choose to kill them by squashing or dropping them into a bucket of saltwater, or relocate them to a rival gardener's patch.
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Beetles
The rhubarb curculio (or rhubarb weevil) is a type of beetle that feeds on rhubarb leaves and stalks. This beetle is about half an inch long and has a dark-coloured body with a yellow powdery material dusted on its back. The head of the beetle has a downwardly curved snout with mandibles at the end. The eggs of the rhubarb curculio are oblong and yellow-white, similar to those of the Colorado potato beetle. The mature larva is a legless grub with a brown head, about 3/4 inch in length.
The rhubarb curculio overwinters as an adult in piles of debris or protected places near rhubarb plants. In mid-May, the adults emerge and rest on the stalks and leaves of the rhubarb plant, as well as other host plants such as dock, thistle, or sunflower. They begin laying eggs in cavities about 1/8 inch deep in the stalks of the host plants, except for rhubarb. The eggs deposited in rhubarb do not hatch and are crushed by the actively growing plant tissue.
In other host plants, the newly hatched larva burrows down through the stalk, reaching the bottom of the stalk just below the soil surface in eight to nine weeks. Usually, only one grub reaches maturity in a host plant. Pupation occurs at the base of the host plant, and within a few weeks, the adult beetles emerge and feed for a short time before seeking protected places to spend the winter. There is only one generation of this insect per year.
The direct method of controlling rhubarb curculio beetles is to handpick them from the plants during early summer and destroy them. They can be easily picked when they first emerge from the host plants.
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Deer
It is important to note that deer are not the only pests that may be attracted to your rhubarb plants. Other common culprits include caterpillars, which can be removed by hand or with a caterpillar control spray, and beetles, which can be trapped using sticky traps. Slugs and snails may also be attracted to rhubarb, and their eggs can be found in the soil around the plant. To get rid of these pests, you can use products specifically designed for slug control or churn the top layer of soil to destroy the eggs.
To identify the specific pest that is eating your rhubarb leaves, it is recommended to inspect the plant for visible signs of the pest, such as caterpillars or beetle eggs. Additionally, you can set up a pie tin with old beer to attract slugs or use pheromone lures to trap beetles. Once you have identified the pest, you can implement targeted control measures.
By combining deer-resistant plants like rhubarb with additional deterrents, such as odour repellents and physical barriers, you can effectively protect your rhubarb plants from deer and other pests. It is also beneficial to maintain vigilance, especially during seasons when deer may be more likely to feed on rhubarb due to limited food sources.
In summary, while deer typically avoid rhubarb due to its toxic nature, they may still consume it under certain circumstances. Implementing a combination of deer-resistant plants and deterrents will help ensure the protection of your rhubarb plants and create a more resilient garden ecosystem.
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Tarnished plant bugs
Companion gardening is another method to control tarnished plant bugs. This involves planting certain plants together, which can help attract beneficial bugs or repel harmful ones. Additionally, it can naturally add nutrients to the soil, keeping plants healthy and more resistant to pest damage.
If you are unable to identify the source of the problem, it is advisable to consult a plant specialist at your local garden centre and bring a photo of the affected rhubarb leaves or stalks. They will be able to assess the damage and provide appropriate solutions.
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Frogs and birds
Birds and frogs are natural predators of snails and slugs, which are common pests that eat rhubarb leaves. If you have a problem with snails or slugs eating your rhubarb leaves, you can encourage birds and frogs to come into your garden by providing them with shelter and water. You can also set out bowls of beer to trap snails and slugs, as they are attracted to it.
It is important to keep your rhubarb plants healthy and free of pests. You can do this by cultivating the soil around the rhubarb in early spring, removing dead leaves regularly, and removing all the leaves and stalks before winter to prevent pests from over-wintering in them. Additionally, when composting rhubarb leaves, do not put the compost back onto the rhubarb garden, as this can attract returning pests.
Companion gardening is another method to consider. By planting certain companions together, you can help attract beneficial bugs or repel harmful ones, as well as naturally add nutrients to the soil, keeping plants healthier and more resistant to pest damage.
To prevent snails and slugs from damaging your rhubarb plants, you can use snail and slug "bait" in the form of small "pellets" that poison them. Alternatively, you can make your own slug and snail traps or use an organic product like iron phosphate, which does not harm plants, people, or other wildlife.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes — this could be the work of slugs, snails, or beetles.
Yes — this could be caused by leaf beetles (Rhubarb Curculio) laying their eggs.
Yes — this could be caused by aphids, such as the Black Bean Aphid.
Yes — hungry wildlife may uproot rhubarb plants and eat the crowns in the spring.
Yes — the adult Tarnished Plant Bug feeds on young leaves and occurs throughout the rhubarb-growing season.
