What Eats Lotus?

Moths

• The most significant lotus pest is a China mark moth’s larva. The moth lays its eggs on the leaves and, after hatching, the larvae cut pieces of leaves and hide among them, giving them the nickname “sandwich men.” Symptoms of a China mark moth infestation include small round holes in the pads. As the caterpillar grows, the leaves may take on a lace-like appearance. Many aquatic gardeners pick off the caterpillars by hand and squish them. An application of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), a bacteria that invades and kills the caterpillar, also takes care of an infestation. Spray a strong Bt solution on the pads and repeat, as indicated on the package.

Aphids

• The scourge of terrestrial gardeners, aphids also attack aquatic plants and find the lotus particularly attractive. Drowning the aphids is the most natural method of control. Either use a strong blast of water from the hose to knock them off the pads and into the water or submerge the plants overnight. If the infestation persists, horticultural oil applications may be necessary. Prevent aphid attacks by also treating any plants growing in beds around the pond.

Koi

• Some koi don’t bother lotus plants; others can’t seem to resist them. They nibble on the undersides of leaves and root around in the containers, looking for goodies. Use stones over the soil in the containers to discourage the koi from mouthing the lotus’s tuber and roots. Paula Biles, writing in “Pond Trade Magazine,” suggests building a wire cage around the containers to create a barrier between the plants and the koi.

Snails

• Snails are a pond’s best friend. They help keep the water chemistry in balance and the amount of algae to a minimum. They reproduce quickly and prolifically, however, and it doesn’t take too long for a snail population explosion to occur. Although they don’t typically bother lotus, when there are more snails than the pond can support, they will eat the lotus pads. Commercial chemicals are available to control snail populations, but mechanical methods are effective and easy to perform. Place a piece of lettuce in the pond and allow it to remain overnight. The next morning there should be snails attached to the lettuce leaf, which should then be picked off and destroyed. Repeating the procedure helps keep the number of snails to a healthy minimum.

Turtles

• Aquatic pond turtles with enough of their favorite food will typically leave a lotus alone, but they may also damage the plants by swimming among them. A wire cage, similar to the one created to keep koi away, may help as long as the wire’s gauge is small enough that the turtle won’t become trapped in it. You should suspect that the turtle is eating the plant if you see slices, as if cut with scissors, in the foliage. Provide the turtle with adequate supplies of water lettuce, fairy moss and water hyacinth. If it still attacks the lotus, you may need to relocate the turtle to another pond.