What's eating my telephone pea?

Telephone (Alderman) is a tall climbing pea most affected by pea moth — whose caterpillars ruin pods before harvest is apparent. Pea aphids cluster heavily on this tall variety's prolific shoot tips. Powdery mildew strikes late-season plants. Pea and bean weevil and mice are common early-season threats. Mesh at flowering is the key defence.

Larvae tunnel inside pods and feed on peas; often not noticed until shelling; damaged peas are inedible; tall crops with extended flowering have longer exposure windows Erect insect-proof mesh around plants as first flowers open; support the tall vines (to 1.5 m+) so mesh can enclose them; early (March) or late (June) sow dates miss peak moth flight

Dense colonies on the abundant tips of this tall variety; growing points distorted; honeydew drips onto lower leaves promoting sooty mould Soap or neem spray; introduce Aphidius ervi parasitic wasp; rub off small colonies by hand early; avoid over-applying nitrogen (promotes soft growth aphids prefer)

Characteristic U-shaped notches cut from leaf margins on young plants in spring; rarely fatal but slows establishment Ensure well-fed vigorous plants; pyrethrin spray if damage is severe; clear debris where adults overwinter

White floury coating on upper leaf surface in warm, dry summers; leaves curl and die back early; pods may also be coated Water at soil level consistently; space plants well and ensure supports keep foliage open; remove infected growth; Alderman is moderately susceptible, so consider early harvest