Japanese beetles are voracious feeders that feast on hundreds of different plant types. These invasive pests prefer sunny, well-irrigated lawns and landscapes. Signs of Japanese beetle leaf damage include:
Photo credit: C Watts (CC BY 2.0)
Grasshoppers damage plants extensively when their populations soar. They prefer grasses and tender plants, but everything is fair game when grasshopper migrations occur. Signs of grasshopper leaf damage include:
Snails and slugs come out in throngs when moderate temperatures and wet weather combine in spring and fall. In a single night, these pests can turn beautiful foliage plants into masses of tattered greenery. Signs of snail and slug damage include:
When leaves suffer damage, the holes don't repair themselves. Leaf damage remains until the plant drops its leaves or dies. If pests damage a small number of leaves, simply prune the damaged leaves away. If the entire plant sustains heavy damage, large-scale leaf removal may shock the plant further. For annuals, replace the plant. For large plants, it's best to leave the damage as is and let nature take its course.
