What's eating my sprouts?

[Old Blue]

Something is eating my sprouts/ Iv'e checked them closely and can see no sign of caterpillars, bit early anyway.
No slug/snail trails and Iv'e got the base of the plants covered with slug pellets and an adjacent slug pub.

There is no sign of anything like poo around or on them and I cannot see any small critters on either side of the leaves.

I have the plants netted as well!

I am at a loss as to what it is, any ideas would be gratefully received.

Ian

[Two_Sheds]

Iv'e got the base of the plants covered with slug pellets

Hmmmmmm (*frowns) - one every few inches is enough, or else they repel rather than bait the slugs.

You don't describe the damage: but I'm guessing it's what I've got on mine (tiny 1cm green caterpillars the exact shade of the leaf they are on).

[Old Blue]

Well the the pellets are just spread not carpeted.

There are quite large holes forming now on 3 plants but I will have an even closer look, thanks for that.

[womble]

Maybe a photo would help us work it out?

[El Greeno]

I had tiny green caterpillars on mine last year.
They were quite dark in shade so were hard to spot.
They liked to hide right in the folds of the 'crown' of the plant.
Grew into great huge monsters in 2 days.

They were repeat offenders too, so I had to spray every couple of weeks...
The butterfly that laid them was white in colour. Got a few with a handy badminton racquet :-)

[Old Blue]

Hmmmmmm (*frowns) - one every few inches is enough, or else they repel rather than bait the slugs.

You don't describe the damage: but I'm guessing it's what I've got on mine (tiny 1cm green caterpillars the exact shade of the leaf they are on).

Pulled 2 leaves off to check. Nothing on them at all. Will go and check when it is dark to see if there area any nocturnal critters.

[Paulottie]

Indeed a better description/photo of the damage would help. (talking of often helpful.... a vague location in your profile perhaps?)

Another guess might be flea beetles...loads of the critters this year. can do quite a lot of damage.

[Old Blue]

As I said yesterday there is nothing on the plants and even had a look at 2230hrs with the aid of a good torch still nothing.

The damage is exactly like caterpillars or slugs, I am coming to the conclusion that it could be slugs!

As the plants are touching and I have'nt as yet put any slug pellets around the other plants they could be coming up on the leaves that are touching the ground and missing the pellets. Must admit I am grasping at straws at the moment!!

[Two_Sheds]

Baby snails then: slugs don't travel far from the soil.
Check under benches, pots etc.

[Old Blue]

Have'nt been on lately as computer went down with a really nasty virus!!

Anyway thanks for that tip Two Sheds.

I got under the netting straightened up the plants and put a cane to them, pulled of the lower leaves on each plant and sprinkled (lightly) some slug pellets around.

On checking the removed leaves, about 20, I found 1 baby snail and 1 very small caterpillar. I'll see what happens now!!

[Pies]

I'm betting the baby snail and baby caterpillar don't grow

[Old Blue]

Funny that, they seem to have got squashed on the leaf and found there way into the compost bin where, in some small way they may improve my vegetable patch!!!!

[Two_Sheds]

I found 1 baby snail and 1 very small caterpillar.

I knew it! Thanks for letting us know you found the culprits

[Old Blue]

I don't think those 2 little critters did all the eating. If so they would be the size of a bucket. I should point out that the leaves I foung them on were at the base of the plants and none of these leaves had been eaten. Unless they were sleeping off a large meal.

I shall keep a close eye on the plants to see if any of there friends turn up and thanks all for your help and suggestions