What's eating my ranunculus aquatilis?

Water crowfoot, a delicate aquatic buttercup, is grazed by waterfowl and aquatic invertebrates on its fine submerged leaves. Aphids colonise the white flowers and floating leaf stems above the waterline. Pond snails nibble the hair-fine submerged foliage. In wildlife ponds it is naturally part of the food web, and fast growth compensates for browsing losses.

Colonies on floating leaves and flower stalks above water; yellowing, sticky honeydew, and reduced flowering Hose off with water; rely on pond-side predators (ladybirds, lacewings); remove heavily infested stems

Fine submerged thread-like leaves grazed and broken off; underwater growth thinned Maintain balanced snail population; introduce snail-eating fish if population is excessive; remove by hand

Floating and submerged stems pulled up and eaten; large patches removed from open water Accept grazing in wildlife ponds; protect in ornamental settings with floating mesh guards; allow rapid regrowth as natural compensation