What's eating my angelica?

Angelica is attractive to aphids, which ironically also draw beneficial predators — so populations often balance out naturally. Slugs and snails are a genuine threat to seedlings and young crowns, and leaf miners can blotch the large leaves. The plant's hollow stems can also harbour aphid colonies that are hard to reach with sprays.

Dense colonies, often on the undersides of large leaves and along hollow stems, cause distorted growth and sticky honeydew; naturally draws ladybirds and lacewings. Tolerate minor colonies as they attract predators. Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap to severe infestations on younger plants.

Rasp seedling stems at soil level and gouge holes in young petioles; can kill plants outright at the seedling and young-crown stage. Use ferrous phosphate pellets or copper tape around crowns. Protect seedlings in pots until well established. Water in the morning.

Larvae tunnel through leaf tissue, leaving pale, winding or blotched trails that dry to papery patches and reduce the plant's photosynthetic area. Remove and destroy affected leaves promptly. Cover young plants with insect-proof mesh if miners are prevalent in your area.