What's eating my unbranched bur-reed?

Unbranched Bur-reed has few serious pest enemies. Semi-aquatic moth larvae (including crambid moths) can mine stems and leaves. Waterfowl eat the seeds and browse foliage at the water's edge. Aquatic leaf beetles occasionally feed on submerged stem tissue. Established stands tolerate moderate grazing and recover strongly from typical wildlife pressure.

Larvae bore into stems or mine leaf tissue, causing wilting of individual shoots and brown, collapsed stems visible above waterline Remove and destroy affected stems at water level; Bt spray on emergent foliage before larvae bore inside; large stands usually outgrow damage

Adults feed on leaf surface and stem epidermis; larvae tap into submerged stems; scarring and reduced vigour in localised patches Encourage fish feeding at pond margins; remove heavily damaged stems; avoid pond insecticides that harm aquatic invertebrates

Leaves and stems grazed at the water's edge; seedheads consumed before they ripen; young shoots uprooted in shallow water Wire guards or netting around newly established plants; plant in water deeper than 30 cm (1 ft) where possible; mature stands tolerate grazing well