What Is Eating My Rhubarb Leaves

Chewed rhubarb leaves can be a frustrating sight. If you’re wondering what is eating my rhubarb leaves, you’re not alone. Something in your garden finds them quite palatable. The good news is that the culprit is usually one of a few common garden pests.

This guide will help you identify the offender. We will then cover safe, effective control methods. Protecting your rhubarb plant is important for a healthy harvest.

Rhubarb is a hardy perennial, but its large leaves are tempting to insects and animals. Proper identification is the first step to a solution. Let’s find out who’s been feasting in your patch.

Several insects and animals are known for damaging rhubarb. The type of damage gives you the first clue. Look closely at the leaves for specific signs.

Holes in the middle of leaves point to insects. Ragged edges often mean slugs or snails. Entire leaves or stalks missing usually indicates a larger animal.

Here are the most common culprits behind eaten rhubarb leaves.

Common Insect Pests

These small creatures are frequent visitors. They can cause significant foliar damage if left unchecked.

Slugs and Snails

These are perhaps the most common offenders. They feed at night and in damp weather. You’ll find irregular holes and ragged edges on leaves.

Look for their tell-tale silvery slime trails on leaves and soil. They hide under debris, boards, or the plant itself during the day.

Rhubarb Curculio (or Rhubarb Weevil)

This is a specialist pest. The rhubarb curculio is a beetle about half an inch long. It has a distinctive long, curved snout.

It punctures stalks and leaves to feed, causing wilting. It also lays eggs in the stalks, leading to further damage. Look for yellow-brown, sawdust-like excrement near holes.

Japanese Beetles

These metallic green and copper beetles are voracious. They skeletonize leaves, eating the tissue between the veins. This leaves a lace-like skeleton behind.

They often feed in groups, so damage can appear quickly. They are most active on sunny days.

Caterpillars (Including Cabbage Loopers and Imported Cabbageworms)

Various caterpillars will munch on rhubarb leaves. They create large, irregular holes. You might find them on the underside of leaves.

Look for dark green droppings (frass) on or beneath the leaves. The caterpillars themselves are often well-camouflaged.

Aphids

These tiny, soft-bodied insects cluster on new growth and leaf undersides. They suck plant sap, which can cause leaves to curl and distort. They also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew.

Honeydew can lead to sooty mold growth. While they rarely kill the plant, they weaken it.

Common Animal Pests

Larger animals can cause more dramatic damage quickly. They often eat entire leaves or stalks.

Deer

Deer love the tender, large leaves of rhubarb. They will neatly browse, eating leaves and sometimes stalks. Look for clean-cut damage, often several feet off the ground.

Deer tracks or droppings in the area are another clear sign.

Rabbits

Rabbits will nibble on young, tender rhubarb leaves and stalks. Damage is typically low to the ground. You’ll see clean, angled cuts on the stems, similar to how scissors cut.

Groundhogs (Woodchucks)

These animals are hearty eaters. A groundhog can devour an entire plant quickly. They eat leaves, stalks, and may even dig near the crown.

Look for large, irregular bites and substantial missing foliage.

How To Identify The Pest Based On Damage

Matching the damage pattern to the pest is key. This table helps you diagnose the problem quickly.

Inspect your plant in the morning for the best evidence.

Leaf Damage Patterns

Look closely at what remains of the leaf. The clues are in the details.

Large, irregular holes in the middle of leaves: Likely caterpillars, Japanese beetles, or larger beetles.
Ragged leaf edges, sometimes with a shredded look: Classic sign of slugs or snails. Check for slime.
Skeletonized leaves (only veins remain): Almost certainly Japanese beetles or sometimes sawfly larvae.
Small, shot-like holes: Could be from flea beetles or other small, jumping insects.
Curled, distorted leaves with sticky residue: Strong indicator of an aphid infestation.
Wilting stalks with round puncture holes: Suspect the rhubarb curculio (weevil).

Stalk And Plant Base Damage

Don’t forget to check the stems and ground level.

Stalks neatly cut off near the base: Typical of rabbit damage.
Entire leaves and stalks missing high up: Points to deer.
Major, wholesale consumption of the plant: Think groundhogs or possibly deer.
Holes or digging near the plant crown: Could be from groundhogs or voles.

Safe and Effective Control Methods

Once you know the pest, you can choose a control strategy. Always start with the least toxic method. This protects your garden’s ecosystem and your food.

Organic And Physical Controls

These methods are safe for people, pets, and beneficial insects. They are often very effective with consistency.

Handpicking

It’s simple but works well for larger pests. Go out in the early morning or evening with a bucket of soapy water.

Drop Japanese beetles, caterpillars, and curculios into the soapy water.
For slugs and snails, you can handpick them as well. They are often found hiding under the leaves or in damp mulch.

Barriers and Traps

Creating obstacles is a great non-chemical defense.

Copper Tape: For slugs and snails. Tape around raised beds or pots; it gives them a mild shock.
Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade): Sprinkle a ring around plants. The sharp particles deter soft-bodied insects and slugs. Reapply after rain.
Beer Traps: Sink a shallow container filled with beer into the soil near plants. Slugs and snails are attracted, fall in, and drown.
Floating Row Covers: Lightweight fabric placed over plants keeps out beetles, curculios, and moths that lay caterpillar eggs.
Fencing: For deer and rabbits, a physical barrier is most reliable. Use chicken wire for rabbits (buried 6 inches deep) and taller fencing (8+ feet) for deer.

Natural Predators and Biological Controls

Encourage nature’s pest control to work for you.

Attract birds with a birdbath; they eat many insects.
Plant flowers like marigolds, dill, and yarrow to attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs (eat aphids) and parasitic wasps (target caterpillars).
Nematodes (microscopic worms) applied to soil can control slug and beetle larvae.

Using Insecticidal Soaps And Oils

These are low-toxicity options derived from natural sources. They work on contact.

Insecticidal Soap: Effective against soft-bodied insects like aphids, young caterpillars, and some beetles. It must coat the pest to work. Test on a small area first, as rhubarb leaves can be sensitive.

Neem Oil: A botanical extract that disrupts insect feeding and growth. It works on a broader range of pests, including Japanese beetles, aphids, and caterpillars. Apply in the early morning or late evening to avoid leaf burn.

When And How To Use Pesticides

Chemical pesticides should be an absolute last resort, especially on a food crop like rhubarb. The leaf stalks are what we eat, but chemicals can still be absorbed.

If you must use one, choose a product labeled for the specific pest and for use on edible plants. Always follow the label instructions exactly, including the pre-harvest interval (the waiting time between spraying and harvesting).

Never spray when the plant is flowering, as you can harm pollinators.

Preventing Future Damage To Your Rhubarb

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A healthy garden has fewer pest problems.

Garden Hygiene Practices

Keep your garden clean to remove pest habitats.

Remove plant debris, fallen leaves, and weeds where pests hide and overwinter.
Clear away old boards, stones, or other hiding spots for slugs near your rhubarb patch.
In fall, after frost, cut back and remove all old rhubarb foliage to eliminate egg sites.

Companion Planting Strategies

Some plants can help deter pests naturally.

Plant onions, garlic, or chives near rhubarb; their strong scent can confuse and repel some insects. Avoid planting rhubarb near sunflowers or thistles, which can attract the rhubarb curculio.

Regular Monitoring And Early Intervention

Make a habit of checking your plants weekly. Look under leaves and along stems. Catching a pest problem early makes control much easier and prevents a major infestation.

Early intervention often means you can use simple handpicking or a spray of water instead of stronger measures.

What Not To Do: Common Mistakes

Avoid these errors to keep your rhubarb healthy and your solutions effective.

Using broad-spectrum pesticides first: They kill beneficial insects and can lead to worse pest outbreaks later.
Over-fertilizing with nitrogen: This promotes soft, succulent growth that is more attractive to aphids and other pests.
Ignoring the soil health: Healthy soil grows strong plants that are more resistant to pest damage. Add compost regularly.
Panicking at the first sign of a few holes: A little damage is normal and won’t hurt the plant’s overall health or yield.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Eaten Rhubarb Leaves Safe For The Plant?

Yes, the plant can tolerate a fair amount of leaf damage. The leaves are the plant’s energy factory, so severe defoliation can weaken it over time, reducing next year’s harvest. The primary concern is the stalks, which remain edible even if the leaves are damaged, as long as no systemic pesticides were used.

Can I Still Eat The Stalks If The Leaves Have Been Eaten?

Generally, yes. The stalks are separate from the leaf blade. Ensure the pest was only eating the leaves and that you have not applied any non-approved pesticides. Always wash stalks thoroughly before use. If the pest was the rhubarb curculio, inspect stalks for internal browning or tunneling before consuming.

Why Are The Leaves On My Rhubarb Being Eaten?

Rhubarb leaves are large, relatively soft, and contain oxalic acid, which deters some pests but not all. Many common garden pests have adapted to feed on them. The reason is usually simply that the pest is present in your garden environment and finds the leaves an available food source.

What Animal Is Eating My Rhubarb Leaves At Night?

Nocturnal feeders include slugs, snails, deer, and groundhogs (though groundhogs also feed during the day). To find out, try inspecting the garden with a flashlight after dark, or set up a motion-activated camera. The type of damage left behind (slime trails vs. clean cuts) will also be your guide.

Do Coffee Grounds Deter Slugs From Rhubarb?

This is a common garden myth. While coffee grounds are abrasive and caffeinated, their effectiveness is inconsistent and short-lived. They can also affect soil pH. For slugs, barriers like copper tape or traps like beer are more reliable methods for control.