What's eating my mimulus ringens?

Mimulus ringens (lavender musk) is a native North American flowering plant of wet margins. Aphids are the most common pest on its soft stems and foliage. Slugs and snails attack at the waterline, and rabbits browse young growth in open garden settings. Powdery mildew in dry spells is a disease threat rather than a pest.

Colonies on stems and leaves cause distortion, yellowing, and sticky honeydew deposits. Blast off with water; introduce ladybirds and lacewings; apply insecticidal soap for severe infestations.

Rasp holes in leaves and chew stems near soil level, often overnight. Hand-pick at dusk; set beer traps at the waterline; apply iron-phosphate pellets in surrounding beds.

Browse young shoots and flowers cleanly, reducing flowering significantly. Protect plants with wire mesh guards; a low chicken-wire fence around the bed is effective.