Pest identification
What's eating my black-eyed susan?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of small soft insects on new shoots and flower buds cause distorted, sticky foliage with sooty mold.
Control: Knock off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray for persistent colonies.
Rudbeckia sawfly (Macrophya montana)
Signs: Pale green larvae skeletonize leaves from midsummer, leaving a lacy appearance.
Control: Hand-pick larvae; spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad. Remove affected leaves and dispose of them.
Slugs & snails
Signs: Irregular holes in leaves, especially on young emerging foliage in spring; slime trails present.
Control: Apply iron-phosphate slug pellets around the base; set beer traps; clear debris where slugs shelter.
Deer
Signs: Browsed stems and flowers, especially early in the season before plants are well established.
Control: Use deer repellent sprays, physical fencing, or plant alongside strongly aromatic deterrent species.
Keep black-eyed susan pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Black-Eyed Susan pests — FAQ
What is eating my black-eyed susan?
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm') is relatively pest-resistant but aphids, sawfly larvae, and slugs can cause damage. Deer and rabbits occasionally browse young growth. The biggest day-to-day threat is aphids clustering on new shoots, though the plant usually outgrows light infestations without intervention.
How do I get rid of aphids on black-eyed susan?
Clusters of small soft insects on new shoots and flower buds cause distorted, sticky foliage with sooty mold. Knock off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray for persistent colonies.
How do I get rid of rudbeckia sawfly (macrophya montana) on black-eyed susan?
Pale green larvae skeletonize leaves from midsummer, leaving a lacy appearance. Hand-pick larvae; spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad. Remove affected leaves and dispose of them.
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on black-eyed susan?
Irregular holes in leaves, especially on young emerging foliage in spring; slime trails present. Apply iron-phosphate slug pellets around the base; set beer traps; clear debris where slugs shelter.
How do I get rid of deer on black-eyed susan?
Browsed stems and flowers, especially early in the season before plants are well established. Use deer repellent sprays, physical fencing, or plant alongside strongly aromatic deterrent species.