What's eating my gaillardia 'goblin'?

Gaillardia 'Goblin' is a compact, tough cultivar with good pest resistance. Leafhoppers spreading aster yellows are the biggest risk, as infected plants cannot be saved. Aphids appear occasionally on new growth but rarely cause serious harm. Powdery mildew in humid summers is the other common stressor to watch for.

Aster yellows infection causes distorted, pale, witch's-broom growth and sterile flowers — the leafhopper itself causes light stippling Remove and destroy infected plants; use reflective silver mulch to repel leafhoppers; insecticidal soap on nymphs; weed management reduces reservoir hosts

Clustered on shoot tips; sticky honeydew and mildly distorted buds; rarely severe on Gaillardia Spray off with water; insecticidal soap for heavy colonies; ladybirds provide effective natural control

Bud blast; aborted or deformed florets; small dark spots on stems near buds Eliminate weedy border plants where adults overwinter; pyrethrin spray in early summer when nymphs are present