Pest identification
What's eating my purple prairie clover?
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew on flower stalks; distorted buds; ants tending colonies
Control: Insecticidal soap; water spray; encourage natural predators such as parasitic wasps
Clover root weevil (Sitona hispidulus)
Signs: Notched leaf margins from adult feeding; root nodule damage reduces nitrogen fixation
Control: Beneficial nematodes in soil for larvae; avoid overwatering which worsens root stress
Rabbits
Signs: Clean-cut stems at ground level on young plants; entire seedlings removed overnight
Control: Wire mesh guards around new transplants; repellent sprays on surrounding area
Keep purple prairie clover pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Purple Prairie Clover pests — FAQ
What is eating my purple prairie clover?
Purple Prairie Clover fixes nitrogen and is generally pest-hardy. Clover root weevils and other weevil species damage roots and notch leaf edges, while aphids colonise new flower stalks. Deer may browse young plants but tend to avoid established stands. Rabbits are a more consistent threat on seedlings and new transplants.
How do I get rid of aphids on purple prairie clover?
Sticky honeydew on flower stalks; distorted buds; ants tending colonies Insecticidal soap; water spray; encourage natural predators such as parasitic wasps
How do I get rid of clover root weevil (sitona hispidulus) on purple prairie clover?
Notched leaf margins from adult feeding; root nodule damage reduces nitrogen fixation Beneficial nematodes in soil for larvae; avoid overwatering which worsens root stress
How do I get rid of rabbits on purple prairie clover?
Clean-cut stems at ground level on young plants; entire seedlings removed overnight Wire mesh guards around new transplants; repellent sprays on surrounding area