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Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Annuals and Perennials > Marigold > Holes in leaves or leaves chewed off

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Marigold > Leaves > Holes in leaves or leaves chewed off

1 of 4
  • Rabbit damage 1
  • Rabbit damage 2
  • Rabbit damage 3

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
2 of 4
  • Deer damage 1
  • Deer damage 2
  • Deer damage 3

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
3 of 4
  • Slug 1
  • Slug 2
  • Slug 3

Slugs

  • Occurs spring and summer
  • Chews ragged, irregular shaped holes in leaves that cross the veins
  • Silvery shiny winding trails may be seen on leaves
  • Soft-bodied, brownish, up to two or more inches long; snails without shells
  • Feeds primarily at night
  • More information on slugs
4 of 4
  • Japanese beetle damage 1
  • Japanese beetle 2
  • Japanese beetle 3

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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