Rhubarb leaf eater? - Ask Extension
Rhubarb (unknown variety, in this location 3+ years with good results... full sun [from 10AM on].
Something is eating the leaves, including opening u...
Knowledgebase
Rhubarb leaf eater? #763893
Asked July 26, 2021, 8:52 AM EDT
Rhubarb (unknown variety, in this location 3+ years with good results... full sun [from 10AM on].
Something is eating the leaves, including opening up the stem (see pix). I've yet to see what. There are ants in the stem openings, etc., but I believe they are just attracted by open "wound".
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
The damage you're seeing could be caused by several critters. Rhubarb curculio is a dark-colored, snouted beetle about one-half to three-fourths of an inch long. It can bore holes into the crown and stalks. Stalk borers cause similar problems as rhubarb curculio. Control them by removing nearby grassy weeds and curly dock. The potato stem borer is a caterpillar, which when fully grown is about 3.5 cm in length and pinkish-white in color. Slugs are generally active at night. Their mouthparts create irregularly shaped holes.
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/slugs
http://idl.entomology.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/Rhubarb-Curculio-2014.pdf
