Pest identification
What's eating my delphinium 'pacific giant'?
Slugs & snails
Signs: Newly emerged shoots eaten off at ground level or riddled with holes overnight
Control: Ring each crown with coarse grit or copper; iron phosphate pellets; check nightly in spring
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on stems, leaves, and flower spikes; distorted growth and honeydew
Control: Insecticidal soap; encourage predators; remove infested tips promptly
Delphinium moth (Polychrysia moneta) caterpillars
Signs: Caterpillars bore into and feed inside hollow stems; wilting of individual spikes
Control: Cut out affected stems; handpick visible larvae; Bt spray on young caterpillars
Rabbits
Signs: Cleanly bitten-off young shoots and foliage at ground level
Control: Individual wire mesh guards around each plant; garden-perimeter rabbit fencing
Keep delphinium 'pacific giant' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats candle larkspur — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common delphinium 'pacific giant' problems & fixes
- Delphinium 'Pacific Giant' watering schedule
- Delphinium 'Pacific Giant' light requirements
- Full delphinium 'pacific giant' care guide
Delphinium 'Pacific Giant' pests — FAQ
What is eating my delphinium 'pacific giant'?
Delphinium 'Pacific Giant' is heavily targeted by slugs and snails, which can destroy emerging shoots overnight in spring. Aphids build colonies on hollow stems and buds. Delphinium moth caterpillars bore into the hollow stems. Rabbits readily graze new growth. Slugs are the number-one killer of young delphiniums.
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on delphinium 'pacific giant'?
Newly emerged shoots eaten off at ground level or riddled with holes overnight Ring each crown with coarse grit or copper; iron phosphate pellets; check nightly in spring
How do I get rid of aphids on delphinium 'pacific giant'?
Dense colonies on stems, leaves, and flower spikes; distorted growth and honeydew Insecticidal soap; encourage predators; remove infested tips promptly
How do I get rid of delphinium moth (polychrysia moneta) caterpillars on delphinium 'pacific giant'?
Caterpillars bore into and feed inside hollow stems; wilting of individual spikes Cut out affected stems; handpick visible larvae; Bt spray on young caterpillars
How do I get rid of rabbits on delphinium 'pacific giant'?
Cleanly bitten-off young shoots and foliage at ground level Individual wire mesh guards around each plant; garden-perimeter rabbit fencing