Pest identification
What's eating my leucanthemum × superbum 'wirral supreme'?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on buds, shoot tips, and undersides of leaves; honeydew leads to sooty mould and attracts ants.
Control: Knock off with water; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; promote predatory insects.
Earwigs (Forficula auricularia)
Signs: Ragged holes in petals and leaves; earwigs shelter in the dense double flowers during the day.
Control: Trap using rolled damp newspaper placed near plants overnight; check and dispose of traps daily.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes and slime trails on young basal leaves and emerging stems in spring.
Control: Ferric phosphate pellets; grit barrier around crowns; evening hand-picking.
Keep leucanthemum × superbum 'wirral supreme' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Leucanthemum × superbum 'Wirral Supreme' pests — FAQ
What is eating my leucanthemum × superbum 'wirral supreme'?
Leucanthemum × superbum 'Wirral Supreme', a double-flowered Shasta daisy, attracts aphids to its buds and shoots. Slugs are problematic in spring on new growth. Earwigs disfigure petals. Deer and rabbits browse foliage in gardens near wildlife. Its dense double flowers can also harbour earwigs more than single forms.
How do I get rid of aphids on leucanthemum × superbum 'wirral supreme'?
Clusters on buds, shoot tips, and undersides of leaves; honeydew leads to sooty mould and attracts ants. Knock off with water; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; promote predatory insects.
How do I get rid of earwigs (forficula auricularia) on leucanthemum × superbum 'wirral supreme'?
Ragged holes in petals and leaves; earwigs shelter in the dense double flowers during the day. Trap using rolled damp newspaper placed near plants overnight; check and dispose of traps daily.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on leucanthemum × superbum 'wirral supreme'?
Holes and slime trails on young basal leaves and emerging stems in spring. Ferric phosphate pellets; grit barrier around crowns; evening hand-picking.