What kind of critter does this kind of damage?

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What kind of critter does this kind of damage?

Ron, Whatever kind of critter is doing this doesn't 'eat' the leaves, it just rips them. It seems to go around the leaf perimeter, tearing the leaves, pulling back rips from the outside of the leaf inwards, and it leaves the torn parts attached to the leaf. It likes leaves far from the ground, near the highest point of the plants. Most of the worst of the damage is on plants that have grown up to the underside of the soffit. I have never seen anything doing this damage and I have been looking for many days now. Could it be wasps, or ants? Thanks for your consideration, Curtis Cunningham 2412 Park Lane Terrytown, Louisiana 70056 (504) 392-0285 (H)

Status: Open Sep 30, 2017 - 08:58 AM

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RonDawson

Sep 30, 2017 - 10:29 AM

Hi Curtis, without seeing the actual insect, I can only guess that it might be a caterpillar of some some sort. The leaf edges appear to be chewed by an insect with a fairly wide mandible. Caterpillar is probably the culprit. A systemic insecticide such as Dominion 2L will help kill what is there and help to kill others that may attack the plant in the near future. Timed applications of Dominion throughout the growing season are the key to control of most insects. Hope this helps.

Ron

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Ron,

I regularly check my garden several times a day. I have never seen anything tearing at the leaves. Could it be a night time bug/critter? Since these are purple hull peas, which means I eat the peas, can I use the Dominion 2L, a systemic insecticide?

Thank-you.
Dominion 2L cannot be used on vegetables or fruit bearing plants. It can only be used on non-food bearing plants. There are no systemic insecticides that can be used on vegetables, so you are limited to using something that has a direct contact kill or a limited residual. Cyonara Lawn and Garden Spray is a good product for this particular use.
No you cannot use Dominion 2L. You will have to use a non-systemic insecticide.

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