Pest identification
What's eating my sweet pea 'cupani'?
Aphids (blackfly / greenfly)
Signs: Clustered colonies on shoot tips and buds; sticky honeydew, distorted growth, possible virus transmission
Control: Pinch out infested tips; spray with insecticidal soap or a strong water jet; encourage ladybirds and lacewings
Slugs & snails
Signs: Irregular holes in seedling leaves and stems; silvery slime trails
Control: Use copper tape around containers, beer traps, or iron phosphate slug pellets; check at night and handpick
Pea moth (Cydia nigricana)
Signs: Caterpillars tunnel into developing seed pods, leaving frass and damaged seeds
Control: Use fine insect-proof netting over plants during flowering; pheromone traps give early warning of adult flight
Keep sweet pea 'cupani' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Sweet Pea 'Cupani' pests — FAQ
What is eating my sweet pea 'cupani'?
Sweet Pea 'Cupani' is targeted by aphids (especially blackfly), slugs and snails on seedlings, and pea moth caterpillars. Mice eat seeds before germination. In the garden, aphid colonies on tender shoot tips are the headline threat, weakening plants and spreading viruses. Check undersides of leaves weekly from spring onward.
How do I get rid of aphids (blackfly / greenfly) on sweet pea 'cupani'?
Clustered colonies on shoot tips and buds; sticky honeydew, distorted growth, possible virus transmission Pinch out infested tips; spray with insecticidal soap or a strong water jet; encourage ladybirds and lacewings
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on sweet pea 'cupani'?
Irregular holes in seedling leaves and stems; silvery slime trails Use copper tape around containers, beer traps, or iron phosphate slug pellets; check at night and handpick
How do I get rid of pea moth (cydia nigricana) on sweet pea 'cupani'?
Caterpillars tunnel into developing seed pods, leaving frass and damaged seeds Use fine insect-proof netting over plants during flowering; pheromone traps give early warning of adult flight