What's eating my chicory?

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a tough, largely trouble-free crop with no serious insect pests. Slugs, snails, and cutworms are the most likely garden problems. Aphids and thrips make occasional appearances on young growth. Leafminers tunnel leaves but rarely threaten plant health. Good soil drainage and plant spacing prevent most issues.

Ragged holes in outer leaves and on young chicory crowns; silver slime trails; worst in cool wet conditions in autumn and spring Apply iron phosphate pellets; use beer traps; mulch with coarse grit; hand-pick at dusk after rain

Nocturnal caterpillars sever stems at soil level; seedlings topple and die; damage looks sudden and unexplained Cultivate before planting to expose pupae; use cardboard collars around young transplants; apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae) to moist soil

Small colonies on young leaves and growing tips; sticky honeydew and mild distortion; rarely severe on established plants Remove with a water jet; apply insecticidal soap if colonies grow; encourage ladybirds and hoverflies with companion flowers

Pale, winding tunnels through leaf tissue leaving blotchy trails; heavy infestation can cause leaf drop on young plants Pick off and bin mined leaves; use yellow sticky traps for adult flies; avoid killing beneficial parasitoid wasps with broad-spectrum sprays