Who has been nibbling my peas ?

[smilingshoe]

Been up to the lottie tonight, whilst chatting to a neighbour I noticed her peas had frilly edges. She thought perhaps they were a different variety than she usually has. When I went back to my plot I had a look at mine. Some of the once beautiful round leaves ( well they were the week before last when they went in) are also frilly edged. Not all of them, but a good 30%. I put down pellets to protect against slugs. Who do you think might be frillying my pea leaf edges and how can I deter them ?

Thanks in advance x

[Pompeylottie]

flea beetle? doesn't usually do permanent harm I dont think. I get it on brassicas and peas but still get good crops.

[VirginVegGrower]

Mine too but thought it was pea/bean weevil that cut notches in although they are supposed to be around June onwards.

[ginger ninger]

Might be vine weevils...nasty little sods they are. Have a little dig around and see if you have any maggot like grubs in the soil. If you have...squish them. Flee beetle only make small pin like holes in the leaves. Have a look at the photos and see if they resemble the damage you have on your leaves. The other photo is of the grubs and the adult weevil.

[smilingshoe]

Your all stars for replying. The creature nibbling mine is doing so in a very neat and circular way. Ginger, the vine weevil "attack" leaves look a bit messy to be my little blighters and there aren't any holes as per the flea beetle ones. I think it might be the pea and bean weevil VVG.

I've cleared the completely couch grassed allotment, built raised beds , manured etc ( all since January). My first 2 crops have been attacked already !!! they've only been in the ground 2 weeks !! The broad beans have aphids, there are ants scurrying everywhere in that bed and my peas have been weeviled ! it's enough to make me weep, but luckily I will not be deterred.

I just had a flirtle on google, it seems that I can save fag ends till I've got a mugs worth full and then boil up the tobbacco with water strain and make a spray or use a bifenthrin based insecticide ( does anyone know what that is ?)

[Shadylane]

It'll be the pea/bean weevil. Had them last year - as did everyone else and they're back this year. They shouldn't affect your crop really, although if you have a bad infestation they can I have heard. Our beans were crap last year anyway as were our neighbours but I think it was more to do with the huge blackfly infestation than the weevils. They just nibble the outer parts of the leaves I think. Not much you can do organically. There's too many of them to catch. I squashed a few last year but I didn't enjoy it - it bothered me. I don't even like killing aphids.
ETA sorry posted before I read your post - dunno about the spray - might be worth try.

[binley100]

You could shake them off onto sticky paper.......we had them last year didn't seem to affect the plants or the crop , and i've noticed that some of the bored beans this year have frilly edges.

[Shadylane]

I yeah they deffo like to frilly up the bored beans - don't bother with the runners though for some reason.

[Two_Sheds]

It'll be the pea/bean weevil.

Yep, that's what it is. http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to...-bean-weevils/

They emerge very much earlier here: in March, not the summer

There are 1000s on my site, you can't do anything about them. They have really stunted my direct pea sowings, so I'm doing more today.

I might have to start doing spring peas in modules and plant them out when they are taller & stronger

[Florence Fennel]

Luckily I've never had a problem with these, hope I'm not speaking too soon ....

[ginger ninger]

it's enough to make me weep, but luckily I will not be deterred.

Awww, poor you. I hate it when critters eat my veg.

[dirtgirl]

I noticed this had happened to my peas the other day too, but couldn't see a pest on them, glad to know what it is and hope it won't affect my crop

[VirginVegGrower]

It won't - rest assured! You can spray but not essential. Seedlings can be killed which is why I grow on before planting.

[Jelliebabe]

I really have to restrain myself from saying "It was MEEEEEE" coudnt resist!

[smilingshoe]

lololololol well you've been dreadfully busy if it was x

Been up to lottie and sprayed the peas and beans with a vile, homemade concoction.

After everyones help last night in working out what it was, I found a recipe for a potion.

2 tablespoons of the tobacco from cigarette butts, boiled up in 1 pint of water, strained, cooled and sprayed. Absolutely disgusterous but hey ho, worth a shot.

I think it's the only time that I can say my shameful habit might have a beneficial use