Pest identification
What's eating my nymphoides indica?
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on flower stalks and floating leaf surfaces; yellowing, honeydew, and reduced flowering
Control: Hose off with water; introduce ladybirds or lacewings at pond margins; submerge leaves so fish can eat aphids
Aquatic snails
Signs: Rasp damage to leaf undersides and petioles; holes and irregular scarring in floating leaves
Control: Hand-remove snails; introduce assassin snails to control population; quarantine new plants before adding to pond
Waterfowl
Signs: Pads and stems grazed or uprooted; stolon mats disrupted in open water
Control: Use pond netting in smaller ornamental ponds; site plants away from heavy waterfowl traffic where possible
Keep nymphoides indica pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Nymphoides indica pests — FAQ
What is eating my nymphoides indica?
Water snowflake, a tropical floating pond plant, is most troubled by aphids on its flower stalks and floating leaves. Aquatic snails graze the leaf undersides and petioles. In outdoor tropical or subtropical ponds, grasshoppers and leaf-eating insects may also attack emergent foliage. Waterfowl graze pads in open ponds. Fast stolon growth typically allows quick recovery.
How do I get rid of aphids on nymphoides indica?
Colonies on flower stalks and floating leaf surfaces; yellowing, honeydew, and reduced flowering Hose off with water; introduce ladybirds or lacewings at pond margins; submerge leaves so fish can eat aphids
How do I get rid of aquatic snails on nymphoides indica?
Rasp damage to leaf undersides and petioles; holes and irregular scarring in floating leaves Hand-remove snails; introduce assassin snails to control population; quarantine new plants before adding to pond
How do I get rid of waterfowl on nymphoides indica?
Pads and stems grazed or uprooted; stolon mats disrupted in open water Use pond netting in smaller ornamental ponds; site plants away from heavy waterfowl traffic where possible