What's eating my gazania × hybrida 'tiger stripes'?

Gazania 'Tiger Stripes' faces the same pest pressure as other gazanias: aphids top the list, followed by spider mites in hot, dry conditions and thrips that mar the distinctive striped petals. Slugs target young plants at ground level. Prompt scouting and insecticidal soap resolve most outbreaks quickly.

Sticky, curled new growth; colonies visible on stems and undersides of basal leaves; sooty mould on honeydew. Strong water jet to dislodge; insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; repeat weekly until clear.

Fine stippling and bronzing of leaves, fine webbing on undersides; worst in hot, dry spells. Improve air circulation; spray neem oil or miticide; water plants consistently to reduce stress.

Silvery streaks and distortion on petals, spoiling the tiger-stripe pattern; tiny insects visible with hand lens. Remove and bin damaged flowers; apply spinosad spray; use blue sticky traps to track population.

Holes chewed in lower leaves and stems of young transplants, slime trails present. Iron phosphate bait around beds; hand-pick at dusk; use gritty mulch as a physical deterrent.