Hi, the potatoes were planted around three weeks ago, but have noted that they have been attacked by ??? which has eating the young leaves, there are also holes now in the bigger leaves. Any suggestions, also they have left holes in the broccoli leaves.
Regards Dennis Western Aussie
I lost all my potatoes to slaters last year. They decimated the leaves. I think they must have been attracted to the mulch I used but decided that the green tops were much more flavoursome. We have heard that they have become a problem in WA. We are in the south west.
It might be the 28spotted ladybeetle. They love anything in the Solinaceae family - potatoes, tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant.
I get alot of them in summer, and I just pick em off and squash them. I don't know what their predator is, but if you encourage alot of other insects to your garden they might balance themselves out.
Check on the undersides of leaves too for little yellow and black larvae and squish them too.
You shouldn't squash the 28spotted ladybeetle as they are not the victims as they eat the other insects and not the leaves. They are not a "pest" but a helper.
The 28 spotted Ladybird bug is the culprit for the lava that feeds on the potato leaves. Squash them as soon as you see them on the leaf and check for the greyish fluffy lava to squash too as they will eat the whole top of the potato greenery if left unchecked.
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We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.