What's eating my field gladiolus?

Field Gladiolus (Gladiolus italicus), a wild Mediterranean species, is primarily troubled by thrips that scar leaves and petals. Aphids target soft new growth, and in garden settings slugs attack shoots at emergence. Being a small-flowered species, it is generally less prone to severe infestations than large-flowered hybrids.

Pale silvery streaking on foliage and flowers; petals may show brown edge-burn. Apply spinosad or insecticidal soap; use blue sticky traps; discard heavily damaged foliage.

Colonies on stems and buds; sticky honeydew; distorted growth. Dislodge with water; apply neem oil; invite ladybirds and hoverflies by planting nectar species nearby.

Emerging shoots chewed at soil level; characteristic slime trails. Iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick after dark; keep surrounding soil clear of dense mulch.