leighmac,

Since you can't "catch them in the act" during the day, I suggest you wait until after dark and do a flashlight inspection. I didn't know that slugs had an "altitude limit", but whatever it is, you should be able to observe what is doing the damage.

MM

Never underestimate the crafty ways of the slug!! I had a potted wave petunia and they managed to get in there just fine. They like to hide underneath the foliage during the day and just wait until darkness to do their damage.

You're correct about the leafhoppers, so they aren't the culprit.

During your evening inspections, look for caterpillars, too. You should observe grasshoppers or beetles in the daytime.

I've got slugs eating coleus up to 12" tall. Sprinkled Bug-Geta all around shade bed and most plantings as have found quite a crop of slugs this year.

At least this last bag I bought was small brown pellets.

First bag was white pellets and it looked like I'd thrown White Good'n'Plenty all over the mulch. Looked horrible.

I use Sluggo for slugs because it is safe and non-toxic.

MM

Sorry for not posting sooner. I sprayed the leaves with insecticidal soap and the munching stopped, so I think Grasshoppers are the winner. Thank you all for your input.

I am having the same problem. Just noticed holes in my Kong Coleus. I have noticed tiny green caterpillars. What should I use to deter.

Coleuslover-- Those worms come from trees. We had a major infestation of them in our maples for 2 years in a row. I never did find out what moth laid those eggs but they denuded the tree and then came down out of the tree on web-like lines. It was dangerous to walk under the tree when this was going on. It happened that my coral bells were under that tree and they chowed down on it until there was scarcely a leaf left. Because I didn't walk under the tree when this was going on I never noticed. If I had noticed I would have sprayed them with insecticidal soap but I doubt it would have done much because there were so many of them. It works well on soft bodied insects. The good thing was that this only took place for a few weeks and then they moved on or something and never came back. The leaves regrew on both the tree and my coral bells.

I