Holes in zinnia leaves - Ask Extension
My zinnias are 4-5" out of the ground and they are being attacked by something that makes holes in the leaves and even cuts pieces from them. I have...
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Holes in zinnia leaves #257013
Asked June 25, 2015, 11:21 AM EDT
My zinnias are 4-5" out of the ground and they are being attacked by something that makes holes in the leaves and even cuts pieces from them. I have sprayed the plants with Sevin but the holes continue to happen. I have noticed holes in the leaves of near-by basil plants and in coleus as well. Other plants in the garden have not been effected (yet).
Minnehaha County South Dakota
Expert Response
This sounds like the work of leafcutter bees, which are one of our many native bee species. They use the leaf pieces to make their nest cells. This sheet from Colorado has a great summary of their life cycle and pictures of the bees and what their leaf cutting looks like: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05576.html
The damage is entirely cosmetic, and once the bees have made their nest, they will stop cutting leaves.
The damage is entirely cosmetic, and once the bees have made their nest, they will stop cutting leaves.
