What's eating my purple coneflower?

Purple Coneflower is pestered most by aphids on tender new growth and by Japanese beetles that shred the petals and leaves. Eriophyid mites can cause aster yellows-like distortion. Deer browse the flowers. The plant's tough constitution means healthy plants outgrow light infestations, but monitor the cone heads for beetle damage.

Dense colonies on flower stalks and undersides of leaves; sticky honeydew and distorted new growth. Knock off with water spray; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; attract beneficial insects with companion plantings.

Skeletonized leaves with only veins remaining; petals eaten from the outside of the flower head. Hand-pick into soapy water in the morning when beetles are sluggish; use row covers; avoid Japanese beetle traps nearby.

Distorted, stunted, or abnormally leafy cone centres; yellowing foliage; affected plants will not recover. Remove and bin (do not compost) infected plants immediately; control leafhoppers that spread the phytoplasma; replace with fresh stock.

Flower heads and upper stems bitten off cleanly, particularly in summer when blooms are at their peak. Spray deer repellent on flower stalks; install motion-activated deterrents; fence the border perimeter if pressure is severe.