Some ******* eating my aubergine, but I don't know what

[alchemy0]

Just wondering if anyone can help with what could possibly be eating my aubergine seedlings (I guess they should be plants by now but they don't seem to be growing very fast)

I had two plants in each pot (backup for transplanting) a couple of nights ago something ate one from each pot, the stem of one was half eaten and there was no sign of the other.

Last night something ate a third one (I only have one left now ) the leaves were in the pot still but the stem had been half eaten all the way up, leaf stalks gone, but leaves left.

Has anybody got any ideas? This is my first year growing my own food, so most of it's a bit of a mystery to me!!

TIA
Claire

[alchemy0]

Just done an internet search, has anyone got any experience of cutworm and could it be this?

Evil caterpillar thingy, doesn't it know I planted a wildlife section so they could leave the veg alone, tsk.

Claire

[The Chili Monster]

Could be.
Try reading this helpsheet: http://www.organicgardening.org.uk/factsheets/pc16.php
Here's a example of of damage that can be caused:
http://www.ent.iastate.edu/imagegal/lep ... larva.html
Of course, it could get be another type of larvae or even small snails.

[alchemy0]

Thanks Chilimonster. They do look familiar.... not 100% convinced it's them as the damage was partial all the way up the stem, rather than severing the stem, still I will be applying a cardboard collar tomorrow (if it's still there!)

[albert onglebod]

Ive had slugs on mine,it could be them or snails...

[alchemy0]

I would have thought that slugs and snails would eat the whole thing or at least the leaves rather than just half the stem? Unless it's baby slugs/snails?

I've put sand down to try and discourage them just in case.

Thanks for the ideas though

Claire

[The Chili Monster]

Not necessarily.
Bear in mind that small snails eat less and so will eat through a plant more slowly ... plus they need an escape route back down from the leaf and so they'd leave enough of the leaf stem to crawl back over.

[hedgewizard]

Half a grapefruit (or other citrus fruit) and scoop out the flesh, then put it down at the base of the plant like an igloo. If it's a slug or snail it'll shelter in there and you'll find it the next day. This works a treat for solo interlopers! (I had a similar set of "raids" on my radish seedlings early in the season)