What's eating my love-lies-bleeding?

Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus) is targeted by tarnished plant bugs and aphids that distort young stems, caterpillars that consume leaves, and flea beetles that pepper foliage with holes. Deer and rabbits will browse plants in rural gardens. Aphids are typically the first and most consistent pest encountered.

Dense colonies on stems and young leaves; stunted growth, honeydew, and sooty mould. Apply insecticidal soap spray; use reflective mulch to disorient aphids; introduce beneficial insects.

Webbing over shoot tips; skeletonised or fully consumed leaves; frass on foliage. Remove webbed clusters by hand; spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) on larvae; remove plant debris after season.

Small round holes scattered across leaves; seedlings may be severely weakened. Use row covers until plants are established; dust with diatomaceous earth; avoid bare soil by mulching.

Brown, sunken spots on leaves and stems; distorted growing tips; aborted flower heads. Apply kaolin clay as a deterrent; remove surrounding weeds that harbour bugs; use pyrethrin spray if heavy infestation.