A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 sunflower leaf holes

i was wondering if anyone knew of any pests that munch on giant sunflower leaves, mine are almost 8 feet tall, but the upper leaves recently have holes in them...not sure what pest could crawl up there without me seeing it!

they are getting ready to bloom...but the leaves are now looking scraggled and eaten. i have had snail/slug issues this year, as well as i am now seeing some baby grasshoppers(not happy about that), but again, these leaves are too high up for them i think.

any ideas?? Thanks!!

Sounds like Japanese Beetles. They attack my Hollyhocks, Mallows, Japanese Maples, Larry Lauder's Walking Stick, Sunflowers, blah blah blah, every year! I use the beetle traps, but they don't seem to help all that much. Some say all they do is attract more beetles to your yard.

My only guess would be aphids or something very tiny of the like. I haven't taken my pest management class yet!!

BTW, Can you guys tell me where the seeds are? I always thought they were in the "face" of the flower, but looking at mine they don't look like seeds. I'm wanting to munch on them!!!

Thats were they will be, just got to wait for them to come after the flower has finished.