What's eating my snap peas?

Snap peas are most commonly damaged by pea aphids, which form large colonies on growing tips and spread mosaic viruses. Pea moth larvae tunnel into pods. Slugs and snails shred seedlings in damp springs. Powdery mildew weakens late-season plants. Birds peck emerging seeds. Early planting and row covers give the best protection.

Dense green colonies on shoot tips and pods; honeydew; pea mosaic and enation viruses causing mottled, distorted foliage and poor pod set Insecticidal soap sprays; water-jet knockdown; encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps; reflective mulch early in the season

Larvae inside pods feeding on developing peas; small entry holes and frass between seeds Use pheromone traps to time spraying; apply Btk at egg hatch; fine mesh insect netting over rows during flowering; avoid mid-season plantings that coincide with peak moth flight

Seedling stems severed or notched at soil level; irregular holes in young leaves; silvery mucus trails Iron phosphate pellets around the row; gritty diatomaceous earth barrier; hand-pick at dusk; avoid over-irrigating

Emerging shoots pulled out; seeds pecked from the soil immediately after sowing Cover with horticultural fleece or fine mesh netting from sowing until plants are 15 cm tall; bird-scaring tape