Pest identification
What's eating my jerusalem artichoke?
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on stems and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew, sooty mold, and yellowing foliage.
Control: Blast with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer that drives soft growth.
Sunflower Beetle (Zygogramma exclamationis)
Signs: Adults and larvae skeletonize leaves, leaving a lacy appearance; heavy infestations weaken tall stems.
Control: Hand-pick adults and larvae; apply pyrethrin or spinosad if populations are large.
Wireworms
Signs: Thin, hard larvae tunnel into tubers, creating holes and entry points for rot.
Control: Rotate with non-host crops; harvest tubers promptly; use beneficial nematodes in soil before planting.
Deer & Rabbits
Signs: Stems and leaves browsed down; rabbits target young shoots at ground level in spring.
Control: Install fencing at least 2 m tall for deer; use hardware-cloth cylinders for rabbits around new growth.
Keep jerusalem artichoke pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Jerusalem Artichoke pests — FAQ
What is eating my jerusalem artichoke?
Jerusalem Artichoke is troubled most by slugs on emerging shoots and aphids on stems and foliage. Wireworms and voles can damage tubers underground. Deer and rabbits browse the tall stems. Sunflower beetles may chew leaves in summer. Rotate planting sites and protect young growth for the best harvest.
How do I get rid of aphids on jerusalem artichoke?
Dense colonies on stems and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew, sooty mold, and yellowing foliage. Blast with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer that drives soft growth.
How do I get rid of sunflower beetle (zygogramma exclamationis) on jerusalem artichoke?
Adults and larvae skeletonize leaves, leaving a lacy appearance; heavy infestations weaken tall stems. Hand-pick adults and larvae; apply pyrethrin or spinosad if populations are large.
How do I get rid of wireworms on jerusalem artichoke?
Thin, hard larvae tunnel into tubers, creating holes and entry points for rot. Rotate with non-host crops; harvest tubers promptly; use beneficial nematodes in soil before planting.
How do I get rid of deer & rabbits on jerusalem artichoke?
Stems and leaves browsed down; rabbits target young shoots at ground level in spring. Install fencing at least 2 m tall for deer; use hardware-cloth cylinders for rabbits around new growth.