What's eating my cyperus longus?

Sweet galingale grown in garden ponds and margins faces aphids on new shoots, caterpillars that shred the stems, and slugs at the waterline. Waterfowl and moorhens may graze emerging growth. Because it is vigorous and spreads readily, most plants recover quickly from light pest pressure without intervention.

Colonies on young shoots and flower stems cause distorted, sticky growth and can transmit plant viruses Knock off with a strong water jet; introduce or encourage aphid predators (ladybirds, lacewings); spray with diluted insecticidal soap if infestation is heavy

Irregular holes and shredded stem tissue; frass (droppings) visible on leaves Hand-pick caterpillars and egg clusters; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray as a targeted biological control

Ragged holes and slime trails on lower stems and young shoots at the waterline Use iron phosphate slug pellets (safe around water); place copper tape barriers on raised planters; encourage hedgehogs and frogs as natural predators