What's eating my feverfew?

Feverfew's bitter pyrethrin-related compounds deter most pests, but aphids still colonise soft shoot tips, and slugs shred young basal leaves in spring. Chrysanthemum leaf miner may tunnel in the foliage. Rabbits and deer tend to avoid the plant. Aphids on tender growing tips are the most frequent issue in home gardens.

Sticky, clustered insects on new shoot tips; curled or yellowing leaves; sooty mould from honeydew. Spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; encourage aphid predators such as ladybirds; cut back badly infested tips.

Ragged holes in young basal leaves and stems; slime trails; seedlings may be completely eaten. Set beer traps; apply iron-phosphate pellets near the base; hand-pick after dark; clear debris where slugs hide.

Pale, winding tunnels (mines) visible on leaf surfaces; heavily mined leaves yellow and drop prematurely. Remove and destroy mined leaves promptly; in severe cases apply a systemic insecticide labelled for leaf miners; encourage parasitoid wasps.