What's eating my zinnia 'profusion'?

Zinnia 'Profusion' is more mildew-resistant than older zinnias but still faces aphids, spider mites in hot dry weather, and Japanese beetles. Caterpillars chew flowers and leaves. Slugs target young transplants. The compact growth habit makes it slightly less appealing to deer than tall varieties, but deer will still graze it when other food is scarce.

Flowers and foliage skeletonised; metallic green-bronze beetles congregate on blooms in mid-summer Hand-pick beetles in the morning; apply neem oil as a deterrent; use row covers before beetle season peaks

Fine stippling and bronzing of leaves in hot, dry conditions; fine webbing on undersides of foliage Increase irrigation; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce predatory mites; avoid water stress

Sticky honeydew on stems and buds; curled new growth; ants attending colonies signal heavy infestations Spray off with water; apply insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects with nearby flowering herbs

Holes chewed in petals and leaves; frass visible on foliage and in flowers Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); hand-pick larvae; use floating row cover on young transplants