What's eating my jerusalem artichoke 'stampede'?

Jerusalem artichoke 'Stampede' — an early-maturing selection — shares the species' general pest resistance. Slugs are the biggest risk on newly emerged spring shoots. Aphids appear on tall stems in mid-summer but rarely affect tuber yield. Deer will browse the stems in rural settings; early harvest removes the rodent risk to tubers.

Emerging shoots grazed or severed at ground level in spring; young foliage holed and trailing slime; worst after wet spells. Iron phosphate pellets around shoots as they emerge; hand-pick after dark; grit or sharp-sand collar around the crown.

Colonies on upper leaves and stems in summer; minor in most seasons; heavy infestations cause leaf curl and honeydew deposits. Knock off with water jet; plant is vigorous and usually outgrows light infestations without intervention.

Stems bitten or stripped of leaves; tall plants browsed back to stubs in rural or semi-rural gardens with deer pressure. Install deer fencing or use repellent sprays (e.g., garlic or predator-scent based) applied regularly to the lower stems.