What's eating my erythronium 'pagoda'?

Erythronium 'Pagoda' is most seriously threatened by vine weevil larvae eating the corms, and by slugs damaging the mottled spring foliage. Squirrels occasionally dig corms. Deer may browse the delicate nodding flowers. Because corms are small and fragile, vine weevil damage can wipe out a planting before symptoms show above ground.

Creamy white grubs eat corms underground during autumn and winter; plants collapse and fail to emerge in spring. Apply nematode biological control (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer or early autumn; avoid vine-weevil-prone potting composts.

Attractive mottled leaves are eaten at the margins and tips in spring while foliage is soft and low to the ground. Iron phosphate pellets placed around emerging foliage; hand-pick at dusk; use grit mulch to deter movement.

Corms may be dug up and eaten, particularly when freshly planted or where soil is loose and easy to excavate. Cover planting site with wire mesh; plant at depth (10–15 cm) to reduce accessibility.