could be...cutworms like to start on the edges of leaves and make big clean cuts, where slugs kind of slowly gnaw away in small, random spots. But some places also have types of weevils that chew off big chunks of leaves, I recently learned. I would stake out the plants being eaten and see if you can catch them- I usually am able to locate the cutworm or caterpillar, eventually. I hate them more than slugs because they inflict so much damage in such a short time.

I think you have several different problems. I'm not sure about the third one. The second one looks like slugs to me. Use a slug and snail bait. I've been told the first one is cut worms. I'm fighting that one right now. I called the extention service on that one today. I'm in TX, so I have to water every day. They suggested I wster in the AM. When the plant is dry, spray with BT. Meanwhile use a granular systemic insecticide. It will take 8 to 10 days for the systemic to work. I may have to apply the BT again meanwhile. (I had applied powder BT a couple of days ago, but found a cut leaf today.) I just started the major assault today. I also threw in some diatomatious (sp?) earth for good measure. If I had some 7 dust, I would have put it there too. They are really decimating my Wide Brim.
Good luck.

bkay

I can always find the cutworms if I scrape the soil around my pots about 1/2" deep. UGLY gray 1.5" long horrible looking catapillars. Once removed, I step on them. Green squishhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Good.

-Babka

2nd pic.. that damage looks really old.. and its really odd.. that it is the center vien ... on two differing leaves ..

which makes me think the they were still furled when a bunny took a nip out.. or a deer???

in most cases.. cut worm damage is dime to quarter sized ... there is usually only one bug per plant in my experience. and that one is not going to decimate a plant like that ..

ken

Those big chunks out of the middle are always solved by using Bug-Geta, so I assume slugs. Melissa (I think) said the missing ends of the leaves was cut worm damage. Bug-Geta says it kills cut worms, but did not solve the problem with in my planter box. There, just the ends of the leaves are eaten. Everywhere the leaf touches the ground, it's eaten about an inch above the ground. If the leaf doesn't touch the ground, it has no damage. I used BT, but am not sure that helped. Then, yesterday, I found two leaves of my new hosta cut off and being eaten by pill bugs (also called sow bugs here). I just decided to throw everything at it. I've messed with this long enough and the Bug-Geta and BT didn't seem to work, so I got out the DE (should kill the hard shell pill bugs), the systemic and the BT (should kill the caterpillars). Hopefully, something will work. If not, I'll pot them up and put some begonias in that spot.

bkay

if you cant find the culprit during the day ... go out with a flashlight at night ...

then you might really ID the problem and act accordingly ....

plus.. it gives the neighbors something to talk about ... who was the crazy neighbor on bewitched... lol

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link -- how in the world did i remember this ... but cant make an appmnt ... whats that all about ...

I'd forgotten about Gladys Kravitz! My neighbor just might be as nosy though. She's 83, so I indulge her.

I'll go out with my flash light and check tonight. However, most bugs couldn't have survived that cup of DE and cup of BT powder I put in there yesterday.

Thanks,

bkay