What's eating my lupinus 'the governor'?

Lupins are among the most pest-prone border perennials. Lupin aphids are huge, grey-white, and devastating — the single biggest threat. Slugs destroy young crowns in spring, vine weevil larvae eat roots unseen, and caterpillars of the lupin moth can strip foliage. Regular inspection from early spring through flowering is essential.

Large, waxy grey-white colonies cover stems and undersides of leaves; plants wilt and flower spikes abort. Squash colonies by hand early; spray with insecticidal soap, pyrethrum, or neem oil; encourage wasps and ladybirds.

Ragged holes in emerging foliage and crowns in spring; whole young plants can be destroyed overnight. Apply iron phosphate pellets at planting time; use copper barriers; hand-pick at night after rain.

Notched leaf margins from adult beetles at night; sudden plant collapse from C-shaped larvae eating roots. Apply nematode drenches (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer/autumn; use biological control compost treatments.

Stripped leaflets and webbing on foliage; caterpillars shelter inside silk-tied leaves. Pick off caterpillars and webbed clusters by hand; spray with pyrethrin or Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) for heavy infestations.