What's eating my rhubarb?

Rhubarb is relatively pest-resistant but is bothered by rhubarb curculio, slugs, and aphids. Crown borers can be serious where present. The thick, oxalic-acid-rich leaves deter most chewing insects, making it one of the lower-maintenance edibles. Remove affected crowns promptly and keep weeds down to eliminate curculio habitat.

Adults bore into stalks and crowns leaving entry holes; sap oozes from wounds and stalks may wilt. Remove dock weed nearby (alternate host); hand-pick adults in late spring; destroy infested plant material.

Irregular holes in large leaves, especially on young unfurling foliage in early spring. Apply iron phosphate bait; hand-pick at night; clear debris around crown where slugs shelter by day.

Colonies on undersides of leaves and at the crown cause leaf curl and sticky honeydew deposit. Knock off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap; natural predator populations usually give adequate control.