What's eating my helianthus 'lemon queen'?

Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' is a tall perennial sunflower beloved by pollinators — and by aphids, caterpillars, and slugs. Aphids cluster on new shoots in spring. Caterpillars of various moths can skeletonise leaves in summer. Birds target ripening seeds. Slugs attack emerging crowns. Deer and rabbits will browse stems if other food is scarce.

Dense colonies on shoot tips and undersides of new leaves, causing curling, stunting, and sooty mould from honeydew. Squash by hand or apply insecticidal soap spray; attract hoverflies with companion umbellifers; avoid high-nitrogen feeds.

Ragged holes or full skeletonisation of leaves, with frass pellets visible. Various moth larvae feed through summer. Pick off by hand on small plants; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray for larger infestations. Encourage birds.

Emerging spring shoots chewed to the ground or heavily holed before plants establish height. Iron phosphate pellets around crowns; grit mulch; hand collection at night especially in wet spring weather.

Goldfinches and sparrows pick developing and ripe seeds from flower heads, reducing any desired seed saving. Net individual heads to save seed; otherwise embrace it as beneficial wildlife feeding — birds also eat pest insects.