What's eating my viola × wittrockiana 'delta pure yellow'?

Viola × wittrockiana 'Delta Pure Yellow' is heavily targeted by aphids, especially the violet aphid (Myzus ornatus) on stems and undersides of leaves. Slugs and snails are a serious threat in autumn and spring plantings. Viola sawfly caterpillars can strip plants bare. Rabbits will graze flowers and foliage in unprotected borders.

Dense colonies under leaves and on stems; leaves curl and yellow; honeydew attracts sooty mould; virus spread risk. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, covering leaf undersides. Remove heavily infested stems promptly. Repeat every 5–7 days.

Green caterpillar-like larvae eat leaf tissue from the edges, leaving irregular holes; entire leaves consumed in high numbers. Hand-pick larvae; apply pyrethrin or spinosad spray. Check plants every few days in late spring and summer.

Ragged holes in leaves and flowers, particularly in cool damp autumn and spring conditions; silvery slime trails. Use iron-phosphate pellets; copper tape on containers; set beer traps. Grit mulch around plants deters slug movement.

Flowers and foliage cleanly nipped off at stem level, often overnight; whole clumps removed in a single visit. Protect border plantings with wire mesh cloches or low rabbit-proof fencing. Raised containers above jumping height are naturally protected.