What Eats Rhubarb Leaves?

SunflowerMeg · April 10th, 2006, 03:20 PM

I've never had a problem at the other house with anything bothering the rhubard leaves. But here, they are being munched on quite liberally. I dug in the soil and found a caterpillar of some type; haven't been able to identify it. I didn't see anymore though. However, will slugs eat rhubarb leaves? I don't see any slugs yet, but they could be out there regardless. Thanks.

P.S. Forgot to mention...I googled the subject and every article I read indicated that leaf-eating pests were not a problem for rhubarb.

dirtundernails · April 10th, 2006, 06:49 PM

Mule deer ate my rhubarb leaves in SD. I kept expecting to find a dead one out there one day. None died, and it may have saved them from becoming TULIP flavored venison, as I did not want to eat the poison myself.

har, har

dun

CruzAK · April 10th, 2006, 08:38 PM

Slugs, snails, some birds and caterpillars

SunflowerMeg · April 11th, 2006, 07:27 AM

Okay. Thanks! I only have two "plants" so I'm kind of disappointed that one has its leaves almost gone, but maybe it will recover. I never thought slugs/caterpillars would feast on the stuff as they never bothered it before. Guess it's time to get the DE out.

kellbell3 · April 24th, 2006, 09:27 PM

I also have something chewing up my rhubarb leaves. I saw little black bugs on it, that resembled a flea, but a little larger. Any suggestions on how to take care of this problem?

walleye · April 24th, 2006, 11:19 PM

Slugs!

BTW: Great article about rhubarb (including the slugs) in the latest issue of "The Heirloom Gardener" (just arrived in my mail today).

April 10th, 2006, 06:49 PM	#2
dirtundernails Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas USDA Zone: 8b Posts: 1,433	Re: What Eats Rhubarb Leaves? Mule deer ate my rhubarb leaves in SD. I kept expecting to find a dead one out there one day. None died, and it may have saved them from becoming TULIP flavored venison, as I did not want to eat the poison myself. har, har dun

April 10th, 2006, 08:38 PM	#3
CruzAK Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 22	Re: What Eats Rhubarb Leaves? Slugs, snails, some birds and caterpillars __________________ Don't squat with yer spurs on

April 11th, 2006, 07:27 AM	#4
SunflowerMeg Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 159	Re: What Eats Rhubarb Leaves? Okay. Thanks! I only have two "plants" so I'm kind of disappointed that one has its leaves almost gone, but maybe it will recover. I never thought slugs/caterpillars would feast on the stuff as they never bothered it before. Guess it's time to get the DE out.

April 24th, 2006, 09:27 PM	#5
kellbell3 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1	Re: What Eats Rhubarb Leaves? I also have something chewing up my rhubarb leaves. I saw little black bugs on it, that resembled a flea, but a little larger. Any suggestions on how to take care of this problem?

April 24th, 2006, 11:19 PM	#6
walleye Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Wisconsin Posts: 99	Re: What Eats Rhubarb Leaves? Slugs! BTW: Great article about rhubarb (including the slugs) in the latest issue of "The Heirloom Gardener" (just arrived in my mail today). __________________ NW Wisconson. Woods and dairy farm country. Left the city in '98, hardly been back since.

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What Eats Rhubarb Leaves?