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Zinnia > Leaves > Holes in leaves or leaves chewed off

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  • Rabbit damage 1
    Credit: Michelle Grabowski, University of Minnesota Extension
  • Rabbit damage 2

    Credit: Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension

  • Rabbit damage 3

    Credit: Michelle Grabowski, University of Minnesota Extension

  • - CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE -

green arrowRabbit

  • All or large sections of leaves are cut off and missing, leaving only a stem or petiole
  • Plants are cut off with a clean-cut angle (45°), not ragged
  • Animal foot prints or droppings may be seen near plant
  • Damage often happens suddenly, often overnight
  • More information on rabbits
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  • Deer damage 1
    Credit: M. Oldakowski
  • Deer damage 2

    Credit: Michelle Grabowski, University of Minnesota Extension

  • Deer droppings 3

    Credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

  • - CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE -

green arrowDeer

  • All or large sections of leaves are cut off and missing, leaving only a stem or petiole
  • Plants are not cut off clean, but ragged
  • Animal foot prints or droppings may be seen near plant
  • Damage often happens suddenly, often overnight
  • More information on deer
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  • Slug damage 1
    Credit: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Slide Set, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Bugwood.org
  • Slug damage 2

    Credit: Karen Blaedow, University of Minnesota Extension

  • Slug 3

    Credit: Gary Bernon, USDA APHIS, Bugwood.org

  • - CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE -

green arrowSlugs

  • Occurs spring and summer
  • Chews ragged, irregular shaped holes in leaves that cross the veins
  • Silvery shiny winding trails may be seen on leaves
  • Soft-bodied, brownish, up to two or more inches long; snails without shells
  • Feeds primarily at night
  • More information on slugs
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  • Japanese beetle damage 1
    Credit: Michelle Grabowski, University of Minnesota Extension
  • Japanese beetle damage 2

    Credit: Michelle Grabowski, University of Minnesota Extension

  • Japanese beetle 3

    Credit: Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension

  • - CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE -

green arrowJapanese Beetle
Popillia japonica

  • Adults present late June/early July to August
  • Skeletonize leaves, i.e. chews tissue between veins, leaving foliage lace-like
  • Chews holes in blossoms
  • Adults are a brilliant metallic green with copper-brown wing covers, approximately 3/8 inches in length, five white patches of hairs on each side of the abdomen, and two patches of white hair on the tip of abdomen
  • More information on Japanese Beetles
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  • European earwig 1
    Credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
  • European earwig 2

    Credit: Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension

  • European earwig damage 3

    Credit: Dave Moen, University of Minnesota Extension

  • - CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE -

green arrowEuropean Earwig
Forficula auricularia

  • Adults active from late June or early July into fall
  • Chews irregular shaped holes in leaves and blossoms
  • Adults are 5/8 to ¾ inches long, reddish brown with short wings; pincher-like cerci on end of abdomen
  • Most active at night
  • More information on European Earwigs

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