What's eating my radicchio 'rossa di treviso'?

Radicchio 'Rossa di Treviso' faces slugs and snails as its primary pest, particularly on young plants and during the autumn heading phase. Aphids colonise the inner leaves, while leaf miners tunnel the outer foliage. Good garden hygiene and row covers protect the crop through its long growing season.

Ragged holes and slime trails on outer leaves; entire seedlings can be destroyed overnight; inner heads damaged during heading. Apply iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at dusk; maintain dry mulch-free zones at the base; use copper-ring barriers.

Colonies of green or black aphids on inner leaves and growing points, causing leaf curl, sticky honeydew, and sooty mould. Blast off with a strong jet of water; encourage ladybirds and lacewings; use insecticidal soap spray for heavy infestations.

Pale, winding tunnels visible through the leaf surface; affected outer leaves become papery and unattractive. Remove and destroy mined leaves promptly; use fine insect mesh to exclude adult flies; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilising.