Pest identification
What's eating my delphinium grandiflorum 'blue butterfly'?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes in leaves and stems at or near ground level; seedlings and young transplants particularly at risk.
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets around plants; use copper tape on containers; hand-pick at night.
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on tender shoot tips and flower buds; sticky honeydew, distorted growth.
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; encourage ladybirds; squash colonies by hand.
Leafhoppers
Signs: Pale stippled or bleached leaves; adults jump away rapidly when disturbed.
Control: Apply insecticidal soap targeting leaf undersides; remove weedy host plants nearby.
Keep delphinium grandiflorum 'blue butterfly' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats siberian larkspur — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common delphinium grandiflorum 'blue butterfly' problems & fixes
- Delphinium grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly' watering schedule
- Delphinium grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly' light requirements
- Full delphinium grandiflorum 'blue butterfly' care guide
Delphinium grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly' pests — FAQ
What is eating my delphinium grandiflorum 'blue butterfly'?
Delphinium grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly' is a compact annual-type delphinium sharing the genus's vulnerability to slugs and aphids. Its lower stature keeps it closer to slug territory throughout its life. Aphids colonise the soft stems quickly. It is less often targeted by deer and stem borers than tall elatum types but still needs early-season slug protection.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on delphinium grandiflorum 'blue butterfly'?
Holes in leaves and stems at or near ground level; seedlings and young transplants particularly at risk. Apply iron phosphate pellets around plants; use copper tape on containers; hand-pick at night.
How do I get rid of aphids on delphinium grandiflorum 'blue butterfly'?
Colonies on tender shoot tips and flower buds; sticky honeydew, distorted growth. Spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; encourage ladybirds; squash colonies by hand.
How do I get rid of leafhoppers on delphinium grandiflorum 'blue butterfly'?
Pale stippled or bleached leaves; adults jump away rapidly when disturbed. Apply insecticidal soap targeting leaf undersides; remove weedy host plants nearby.