What's eating my arisaema serratum?

Arisaema serratum, a Japanese woodland aroid grown outdoors in shaded beds, is most damaged by slugs and snails attacking its soft emerging shoots in spring. Vine weevil grubs feed on the corm. In warm climates, aphids may cluster on new growth. Deer occasionally browse the foliage where populations are high.

Ragged holes in newly emerged leaves and spathe; entire shoots can be consumed at ground level; silvery slime trails Scatter iron phosphate pellets around plants as they emerge; hand-pick after dark; keep mulch loose and avoid dense, damp cover where slugs shelter

Corm damage from larvae causes sudden unexplained wilt; adult weevils leave characteristic scalloped notches in leaf margins Apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer or early autumn; inspect the corm annually when dormant

Colonies on new growth cause leaf curl, honeydew drip, and possible sooty mould development Spray with insecticidal soap or a dilute neem solution; encourage natural predators; remove and squash small colonies by hand