What's eating my schoenoplectus tabernaemontani 'zebrinus'?

Zebra rush is most damaged by reed beetles that stripe and score its distinctive banded culms. Aphids cluster on young growth in summer, and waterfowl peck at shallow-planted crowns. Because the ornamental value is the variegated striping, even moderate insect feeding that mars the culms is more visible than on plain-green relatives.

Longitudinal pale feeding scars on culms that disfigure the ornamental zebra banding; larvae feed on submerged roots. Hand-pick adult beetles in summer; remove and dispose of badly damaged culms; maintain plant vigour with annual division.

Sticky colonies on young shoots and flower clusters; honeydew encourages sooty mould that masks the variegation. Knock aphids off with water; fish will consume those that fall in the pond.

Culms snapped or pulled from basket margins; crowns uprooted in very shallow plantings. Plant in heavy baskets topped with coarse gravel; position in water 15–30 cm deep to discourage easy wading access.