What's eating my everlasting sweet pea?

Everlasting Sweet Pea (Lathyrus latifolius) is hardier than annual sweet peas but still attracts aphids on new shoots and caterpillars that shred foliage. Slugs attack emerging growth in spring. Rabbits will graze young stems to the ground where present. Aphids are the most commonly reported pest.

Colonies on tender new shoots and stems; sticky deposits and curled leaves Blast off with water; use insecticidal soap; introduce beneficial insects such as ladybirds

Ragged holes in leaves; whole leaflets stripped by larger larvae Handpick caterpillars and eggs; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray for heavy infestations

Chewed stems and foliage on emerging spring growth; slime trails Iron phosphate pellets; copper barriers; handpick at dusk

Clean-cut stems at ground level; young growth grazed back entirely in spring Surround plants with wire mesh guards; rabbit-proof fencing around garden borders