What's eating my nelumbo nucifera?

Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus) is attacked mainly by lotus-specific caterpillars, aphids, and in outdoor ponds by waterfowl. In Asia, the lotus leaf miner and brown planthopper are significant. Remove larvae by hand, knock aphids into water for fish, and deter waterfowl with netting.

Colonies on young aerial leaves and flower buds cause leaf curl, sticky honeydew, and sooty mold that reduces photosynthesis on the large lotus foliage. Hose off into water where fish can feed on them. Remove and destroy heavily infested leaves. Avoid pond-unsafe insecticides.

Caterpillars roll and tie leaf edges with silk, feeding inside; large notches appear on leaf margins and flowers may be chewed. Unroll and hand-pick larvae. For severe infestations, apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray on aerial foliage only, keeping it away from pond water.

Can attack lotus pads similarly to water lily pads, scraping brown skeletonized channels across the leaf surface. Knock into water for fish to consume. Remove damaged pads to slow beetle reproduction.

Birds trample, uproot, and eat emergent lotus stems and newly unfurled leaves, particularly in shallow garden ponds. Net the pond surface during the growing season. Ensure planting depth of at least 30–60 cm to limit direct access to rhizomes.