What's eating my zinnia elegans 'profusion cherry'?

Zinnia 'Profusion Cherry' is a tough, disease-resistant series but still attracts caterpillars, Japanese beetles, and spider mites through the growing season. Aphids appear on shoot tips in spring, and deer will browse plants when other forage is scarce. Caterpillars that attack buds are the primary threat to the flower display.

Buds eaten before opening; petals with ragged holes; frass found at the base of damaged blooms. Apply Bt spray on a 7–10 day cycle; remove larger caterpillars by hand; check plants in the evening.

Skeletonised foliage with only veins remaining; adult beetles aggregate and feed in sunny periods. Knock beetles into soapy water early morning; apply neem oil or pyrethrin; avoid pheromone traps near the patch.

Silvery or bronze stippling on leaves; webbing on undersides; plants look dusty and stressed. Keep plants well watered; spray undersides with water to dislodge mites; use insecticidal soap if populations build.