What's eating my streambank lupine?

Streambank Lupine, a Pacific Northwest native, faces the same pest trio as other lupines: lupine aphids, caterpillars, and slugs. Its moist riparian habitat makes slug damage especially severe on seedlings. Deer and rabbits browse it readily. Being a perennial, established plants usually recover from moderate defoliation.

Large pale colonies on new growth tips; curled, sticky leaves; heavy infestations stunt flowering. Wash off with water; apply insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators such as ladybirds.

Seedlings and young leaves eaten overnight; particularly severe in damp streambank conditions. Apply iron phosphate pellets; hand-collect slugs at night; avoid thick mulch against stems.

Leaves chewed or skeletonised; frass present; occasionally defoliates plants in outbreak years. Hand-pick; apply Bt spray targeting small larvae early in the season.

Stems browsed to the ground, especially in spring when foliage is lush and accessible. Wire mesh guards around young plants; repellent sprays; plant inside fenced riparian restoration plots.