Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Annuals and Perennials > Geranium > Holes in leaves or leaves chewed off
Geranium > Leaves >Holes in leaves or leaves chewed off
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Rabbit
- All or large sections of leaves are cut off and missing, leaving only a stem or petiole
- Plants are cut off with a clean-cut angle (45°), not ragged
- Animal foot prints or droppings may be seen near plant
- Damage often happens suddenly, often overnight
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Deer
- All or large sections of leaves are cut off and missing, leaving only a stem or petiole
- Plants are not cut off clean, but ragged
- Animal foot prints or droppings may be seen near plant
- Damage often happens suddenly, often overnight
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Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
- Adults present late June/early July to August
- Skeletonize leaves, i.e. chews tissue between veins, leaving foliage lace-like
- Chews holes in blossoms
- Adults are a brilliant metallic green with copper-brown wing covers, approximately 3/8 inches in length, five white patches of hairs on each side of the abdomen, and two patches of white hair on the tip of abdomen
- More information on Japanese Beetles
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Cabbage Looper
Trichoplusia ni
- Present from early July to late August
- Caterpillars feed on leaves resulting in large ragged holes
- Dark green excrement may be present on leaves
- Caterpillars are up to 1 ½ inches in length, light green, and move in a characteristic “looping” action
- More information on cabbage loopers
