What's eating my zinnia 'benary's giant'?

Zinnia 'Benary's Giant' is most seriously damaged by Japanese beetles and caterpillars outdoors. Aphids colonise new growth, and whitefly can build up in warm conditions. Slugs attack young transplants. In the garden, deer will browse zinnias readily. Powdery mildew (a fungal issue) is the other major concern, but the primary animal pest is the Japanese beetle.

Flowers and foliage skeletonised — only leaf veins left intact; metallic green-bronze beetles visible on plants in mid-summer Hand-pick beetles in the morning when sluggish; use row covers before bloom; apply neem oil; avoid pheromone traps near the garden

Sticky, distorted shoot tips and flower buds; colonies visible on stems and new growth Spray with insecticidal soap or water; introduce ladybirds; pinch out heavily infested tips

Ragged holes chewed in petals and leaves; frass deposits on foliage Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; use row covers on young transplants

Whole flower heads and stems browsed, often overnight; plants reduced to stubs with torn (not clean-cut) stems Use deer repellent sprays; fence beds with at least 8 ft fencing; plant deer-resistant species as a border buffer