What's eating my primula farinosa?

Primula farinosa (bird's-eye primrose) is a delicate native flowering plant of damp meadows. Vine weevil grubs are the most serious threat, eating roots and causing sudden collapse. Aphids cluster on flower stems, slugs and snails attack leaves at night, and red spider mite can affect plants stressed by dry conditions.

Grubs destroy roots causing wilting and sudden plant death; adult notch-feeding on leaf margins is a warning sign. Apply nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer; check root crowns of new plants.

Clusters on flower stalks and undersides of leaves cause distortion and sooty mould. Dislodge with a gentle water spray; apply insecticidal soap; remove worst-affected stems.

Graze leaves and flowers overnight, leaving characteristic slime trails. Hand-pick at dusk; set beer traps; use iron-phosphate slug pellets around the plants.