water lily

[richardfinch]

does anyoen know what eats water lily leaves? my lillies are being nibbled from the outer edge as well as directly witin the leaf.

[dorisday]

Only a suggestion, but could it be water snails??

[New Forester]

There is a wonderful caterpillar which does this, the china mark moth -- it could be that. I think there are a couple of species in the UK. The adult moth has patterns like the maker's mark on china. The caterpillar cuts a little oval of leaf, and hides in a bubble of air between the oval and the underside of the leaf. Turn up the leaf and you can see them hanging on. They need the bubble because caterpillars must breathe air, unlike many other pond-insect larvae. They do make a few holes in the leaves, but personally I have such admiration for their nifty diving-bell lifestyle that I leave them be.

[Upforit]

Some fish, sticklebacks, i think is one eat vegatation. Do you keep fish? Talk to your local pond supplier and or pet shop. I have a pond with no fish, lovely water lillies, and no leaf damage. Also, what about water snails?