Leaf holes may indicate insect feeding, disease, or chemical or physical damage. Leaf holes interfere with photosynthesis, which weakens the plant, and it becomes more vulnerable to other pests and diseases. Use the information below to learn how to identify the cause of leaf holes in your garden or landscape plants. Once you know the reason, you can select the best treatment. Physical damage Many citrus leaves exhibit holes caused by nearby thorns. Wind-whipped branches can also puncture leaves. In these cases, there is nothing you can do. Chemical damage Chemical damage is usually caused by herbicide overspray, yours or your neighbors'. Using chemical herbicides more carefully (or not at all) can help prevent this. Irregular holes Irregularly shaped holes and complete defoliation, with the central leaf vein left intact, are usually caused by these insects:
Irregular holes, chewed stems, leaf chlorosis (yellowing), and wilting This recipe for disaster indicates the presence of cucumber beetles. Cucumber beetles can be striped or spotted. And they nearly always cause significant plant damage.
Leaf slits If your grape leaves look as though a tiny, knife-wielding slasher attack occurred, it was probably the Western grape rootworm (Bromius obscurus). Leaf slits are usually 1/4 to 1/2 inches long. Individually, these slits are too small to seem important, but the combined effect can be devastating to individual leaves. Grapes are also damaged.
This list is not exclusive but should give you a good starting point.
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