What's eating my snapdragon 'rocket'?

Snapdragon 'Rocket' can be damaged by aphids on flower spikes, thrips that distort blooms, and budworms (Helicoverpa) that bore into flowers. In the garden, slugs attack seedlings. Downy mildew is often the bigger threat than insects. Inspect flower spikes weekly during warm weather as aphid and thrip populations build fastest on the dense bloom clusters.

Dense clusters on flower spikes and soft new growth; honeydew deposits and sooty mould; flowers may fail to open cleanly. Knock off with water spray; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove and discard heavily infested spikes.

Silver-streaked or stippled petals; blooms open distorted; tiny fast-moving insects visible inside individual florets. Apply spinosad-based spray weekly during bloom; use blue sticky traps to monitor; avoid overhead irrigation which can spread thrips.

Small holes bored into flower buds and petals; frass visible at entry points; buds fail to open or open distorted. Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray targeting young caterpillars; handpick caterpillars if found; remove spent blooms to reduce egg-laying sites.

Seedlings and transplants eaten at or below soil level, particularly in cool, wet spring planting conditions. Transplant sturdy seedlings not direct sow; use iron phosphate pellets; grit mulch around stems creates an effective physical barrier.