What's eating my lance-leaved water plantain?

Lance-leaved Water Plantain is generally trouble-free in pond margins and slow-moving water. Slugs are the main pest, rasping holes in emergent leaves. Waterfowl and pond fish may nibble young growth. Maintaining good water flow and avoiding overcrowding reduces fungal leaf-spot problems that can follow slug damage, giving pests an entry point.

Ragged holes and chewed edges on emergent and terrestrial-phase leaves; silvery slime trails; worst on young leaves and seedlings near pond margins Apply iron phosphate slug pellets around pond margins (safe near water); set beer traps; hand-pick at dusk; avoid excess organic mulch near the waterline

Young leaves and seedheads browsed at the water's edge; roots disturbed while foraging in shallow margins Protect young plants with wire netting or plastic mesh guards; establish plants in water deep enough to reduce easy access; mature clumps cope with occasional browsing

Occasional colonies on flower stems and leaf undersides; honeydew and sooty mould on affected growth; rarely a serious problem in open water settings Knock aphids off stems with a strong water jet; natural predators (hoverflies, ladybirds) usually provide sufficient control around pond plantings