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predation on true violets
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Posted by kasper Olympic Peninsu (My Page) on Fri, Oct 22, 04 at 23:39
I have two true violets, Blue Remington and Royal Robe (Odorata and Cucullata). They are healthy other than something is eating them. I can't see what it is but something is also eating the flowers (but not leaves) of
my other violas. This something hasn't bothered my "Rebecca". Any suggestions? All are in containers outside. - kasper
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: predation on true violets
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- Posted by MorZ8 Z8 Wa coast (My Page) on
Sat, Oct 23, 04 at 12:01
| Slugs, or earwigs. Go out after dark with a flashlight and inspect... |
RE: predation on true violets
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You could also look for caterpillars, and if you find same, you might want to consider if there are some ordinary violets you could spare as forage. Violets are primary food for almost all the fritillary butterflies - don't know which of them you might have in your area.
(Yes, I know - I'd better duck - it's not kind to suggest that one's favorite flower is a preferred snack for a caterpillar, and then say "keep the caterpillar".) |
RE: predation on true violets
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Hmmm...
Earwigs make the flowers tatty; I've not known them to eat leaves.
Slugs & snails give the game away with the slime trails.
Caterpillars: probably too early for fritillary larvae in your area; moth larvae slightly more likely, but still not a top contender, I would have thought.
Don't rule out mice this time of year. I've just has the tops of some seedlings mown off (in the cold greenhouse), and that's what I suspect. |
RE: predation on true violets
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| Gardenpaws is right and there is one fritillary in particular which is endangered and should be conserved--Speyeria diana. |
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