What is eating my purple coneflower babies?

Question

I planted purple coneflower seedlings around my mailbox. They're growing but the bottom leaves looked nibbled on. I don't see anything in the daytime so they must be chomping at night. What is eating them and how can I stop them?

Answer 1

Purple coneflowers have few serious pests but one bug currently active now and it feeds on coneflowers is the Japanese Beetle. Damage makes the leaves look like they are skeletonized (leaf gone but veins remain - almost like lace). If this is your bug, sevin is the most effective insecticide for treatment. You can also knock them off the plant into a cup of soapy water. Place the cup under the plant and move your hand near the bugs or tap the plant, they usually drop from the plant into the cup.

Here's a pic of your possible critter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_beetle

Answer 2

Could be any number of beetles or another insect for that matter. Take a look around in the evening and see if you can catch the culprit. It would be easier to help you find the problem if we had more information about what the insect looks like or even what the damage looks like. Sorry, wish I could have been more help.

Answer 3

leaf cutter ants