What's eating my chioggia beet?

Chioggia beet is targeted by leaf miners, aphids, flea beetles, and slugs. The biggest threat is the beet leaf miner, whose larvae tunnel inside leaves and reduce photosynthesis. In gardens, deer and rabbits will also graze tops. Row covers early in the season provide broad-spectrum protection against flying insects and some animal pressure.

Pale, blister-like tunnels winding through leaf tissue; heavily mined leaves turn brown and papery Remove and destroy mined leaves; cover seedlings with fine mesh row cover; encourage parasitic wasps by planting umbellifers nearby

Dense colonies on leaf undersides and growing tips cause curled, yellowing foliage and sticky honeydew Blast off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap; attract ladybirds and lacewings with companion flowers

Tiny round shot-holes scattered across young leaves, stunting seedlings if infestation is heavy Use fine-mesh row cover from sowing; delay sowing until plants are past the vulnerable seedling stage; apply kaolin clay

Ragged holes and slime trails on leaves and beet shoulders, especially after rain Use iron phosphate slug pellets (safe around wildlife); hand-pick at night; lay copper tape around raised beds