What's eating my sugar snap pea?

Sugar snap peas are at risk from pea moth — caterpillars ruin the edible pods from inside — and pea aphids on shoot tips. Powdery mildew reduces yield late season when airflow is poor. Slugs eat seedlings and pea and bean weevil notches young leaves. Fleece at flowering and good spacing tackle the main threats.

Caterpillars feed inside pods on developing peas; frass found when pods opened; pods may show slight brown discolouration at entry point Cover with insect-proof mesh or fine fleece immediately as first flowers open; early March or late June sowings escape the peak June–July moth flight

Large, pale green aphids on shoot tips, tendrils, and pods; stunted growing points; honeydew attracts ants and promotes mould Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce parasitic wasps; remove heavily infested tips; companion plant with dill or fennel to attract beneficials

Seedlings eaten at ground level; holes in the flat edible pod wall — sugar snap pods are particularly vulnerable due to their thin skin Ferric phosphate pellets; start plants under cover in root trainers; mulch with grit; remove ground debris; hand-pick at night

White powdery coating on leaves and pods in mid-to-late summer; leaves yellow and shrivel; yield and quality drop Maintain even soil moisture (drought stress triggers attacks); ensure generous spacing; remove and bag infected material; select mildew-resistant varieties for late sowings