Return to the Dahlia Forum | Post a Follow-Up

 o
Whats now eating my dahlia flower petals?

Posted by HighlanderNorth Mid Atlantic USA (My Page) on
Wed, Sep 21, 11 at 20:28

I have been noticing in the last week or so that something is eating the petals on several of my dahlias.....

I just resprayed them with Spectracide Triacide about 1.5 weeks ago, after we were hit by 2 hurricanes in 10 days, which dropped a total of probably 16 inches of rain our area. As soon as the rain ended, within about 3 days, I began noticing spider mites and what was identified as tree hoppers that were eating the center veins under each leaf, had returned.

I had sprayed about 5 weeks earlier, but I guess the rain weakened it, so I sprayed again, which got rid of the problem insects on the leaves.

But now, as the flowers open, something is eating them......
It is eating the ends of the petals, but I never actually see anything there.

I've previously noticed Katydids eating Zinnia leaves and munching on Zinnia flower petals, so maybe thats what it is, but I have not seen any Katydids for 2 weeks at least.

Anyone else having this problem?


Follow-Up Postings:

 o
RE: Whats now eating my dahlia flower petals?

I have had a few grasshoppers eating the petals of my dahlias. Maybe its them? I kill them when I see them.


 o
RE: Whats now eating my dahlia flower petals?

Sounds like earwig damage. Steve in Stevens County.


 o Post a Follow-Up

Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum.

    If you are a member, please log in.

    If you aren't yet a member, join now!


Return to the Dahlia Forum

Information about Posting

  • You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
  • Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
  • Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
  • After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
  • Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
  • We have a strict no-advertising policy!
  • If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
  • If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.


Learn more about in-text links on this page here