IMHO - I'd say cutworm. Did you use Sluggo Plus ths year? Seems I recall you were going to. I have used it and i do see quite a bit less damage this year.

Yes, I did use it….. I followed the directions which said 1 tsp per square yard. That’s not much it seems, but maybe I should have used more???? How do you apply?

debra

This is the first year I've tried it too but i just sprinkled it around the edges of my beds and some at the base of what I consider special plants. I'm sure I did more than 1 tsp per square yard. Someone here (Ken?) said once the damage is done it may be to late at least for that one cutworm, as the pupa develop rapidly into a moth.

Caterpillar

undertheoaksgardener7b - Yeah i was one step ahead of myself, it is the larva or caterpillar that does the damage.

Caterpillar. I don’t mind seeing this on my plants because I get butterflies later in summer.

Yesterday I read that putting a toothpick or two around the base of the hosta prevents the damage because the cutworm has to completely encircle the leaves to go up.

Is this true? Anyone done something like this?

debra