What's eating my golden club?

Golden Club is rarely troubled by pests in its aquatic habitat. Aphids can cluster on the distinctive white-and-yellow flower spathes and young leaves. Caterpillars may chew foliage in summer. Slugs damage emergent leaves near pond margins. The plant's deep-water rhizomes and leathery, waxy leaves make it naturally resistant to most insect feeding.

Colonies on flower spathes and new leaves; sticky honeydew deposits; distorted or stunted early spring growth near the waterline Knock off with a strong water jet; encourage ladybirds and hoverflies as natural predators; fish in the pond will consume dislodged aphids; insecticidal soap only on growth above the waterline

Holes chewed through large leaves; entire leaf margins consumed in heavier infestations during summer Hand-pick caterpillars and egg masses from leaves; apply Bt spray to foliage above the waterline; remove and destroy any leaf shelters rolled by larvae

Ragged holes in young emerging leaves at pond margins; slime trails visible on leaf surfaces; most problematic during wet spring weather Iron phosphate slug pellets around pond edge (wildlife-safe formulation); hand-pick at dusk; ensure plants are established in water deep enough to reduce slug access to new growth