That's horrifying! Sorry to see that happen but so glad I only have to fight the slugs now.

I dealt with black vine weevils...not sure if the same thing, but I'm sure they are related. They would attack my honeysuckles, primarily. I did the squash approach (each evening, out with a flashlight), but that would be tricky on hostas.

Have you tried beneficial nematodes for the grubs? We can't buy pesticides in Ontario, so I have tried those for other kinds of grubs. Problem is, it's so hard to know if they are working or not.

I've also seen suggestions for sticky substances on the base of plants to catch them....like tape, or even honey. Again, that would be tough for hostas. But every adult you catch will limit next year's grubs somewhat.

Edit: I love your Cracker Crumbs! I've been looking for something to brighten up my shade garden. I'll have to go find one. :)

That's horrifying! Is there a plant you can place in the garden that would attract them preferentially to reduce their interest in the hostas? Then, use as chicken feed? There is a name for this that is escaping me.....

What a beautiful before pic of your Cracker Crumbs. I bet it felt good to see the chickens eating up all those grubs, but what a shame they found your plants. Vine Weevils are unfamiliar to me, thank goodness. I hope you found enough roots are left for them to make a comeback.

Seeing as thought our climate is not that different, it's not surprising that we have them too, here on the West Coast. They are attracted to rhododendrons, but they have also left their trademark semi-circular notch marks at the edges of certain astilbe and heuchera leaves. They can both look really ratty after too many meals.

Of course, they also leave their bite marks on hostas too - especially smaller hostas with thinner leaves.

In the past I looked into how I could dispose of the little bugg***s, but there doesn't seem to be an easy way, so I've just learned to live with them.

BC

I'm with you, BC. I have a nice stand of Violets that get decimated this time of year by weavils and I let them gofforit 'cause they won't bother the hostas or rhodies near as much, mind you, I only have 3 rhodies, much to the chagrin of my sister-in-law who grows and propagates truckloads of them.

Pieter