What's eating my swiss chard 'yellow ribbon'?

Swiss Chard 'Yellow Ribbon' is susceptible to leafminers, aphids, slugs, and occasionally flea beetles. The slender yellow stems make slug and flea beetle damage on young plants particularly damaging. Start with row covers and monitor weekly; leafminers are the hardest pest to control once established.

Pale serpentine tunnels through leaf tissue; heavily mined leaves yellow and drop early. Remove affected leaves immediately. Use fine mesh row cover to exclude egg-laying adults. Spinosad sprays can control larvae.

Tiny round shot-holes scattered across young leaves; seedlings can be severely weakened. Cover seedlings with row cover from transplant. Diatomaceous earth around the base deters adults. Spinosad spray for heavy pressure.

Ragged holes in leaves, especially on seedlings and at soil level; silvery slime trails visible. Apply iron phosphate pellets. Hand-pick at night or after rain. Remove mulch piles near plants.