What's eating my common sorrel?

Common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is rarely troubled by pests — its high oxalic acid content makes it unpalatable to most insects, deer, and rabbits. Aphids are the only routine visitor. Slugs and snails occasionally eat young leaves. Dock sawfly (Ametastegia glabrata) larvae and blood-vein moth caterpillars can cause localised leaf damage.

Soft-bodied colonies on leaf surfaces and stems; honeydew; mild curling or yellowing of lower leaves. Blast off with water; insecticidal soap for persistent colonies; plants are vigorous and tolerate light aphid pressure.

Irregular ragged holes chewed in young leaves, especially in wet or shaded beds. Hand-pick at dusk; apply iron phosphate pellets; use grit or copper-tape barriers around emerging clumps.

Pale green larvae eat through leaf blades leaving holes or skeletonising sections from midsummer. Hand-pick larvae; cut back heavily damaged stems to encourage fresh growth; no insecticide usually needed.