[greenhead]

Hi I have found the insect damaging my runner bean plants - what is it and how do I control it?

Mike.

[Gryphon]

That is a ladybird larvae and wouldn't be guilty of that. The prey that it feeds on (aphids) could be though.

[mumofstig]

That is a ladybird larvae and wouldn't be guilty of that. The prey that it feeds on (aphids) could be though.

I agree 

[salmonking]

yep,what they said! don't get rid of them,they eat the aphids!

[greenhead]

OK,  but what is eating the leaves - the plants are surrounded with slug pellets and there is no evidence of slugs or snails.  The plant leaves are reduced to skeletons over night.

Mike.

[Salmo]

Looks like snails.

[mumofstig]

especially if it's happening at night

[pink aubergine]

Are the leaves touching the ground or anything else?& that's how the slug/ snails reach the leaves.

[greenhead]

Hi, yes the runner bean nursery leaf is in some cases  touching the ground but the secondary leaves up the stick (12" away from the ground) are being attacked too.  The individual plants are surrounded by slug pellets yet there are no evidence of dead bodies or slime trails which leads me to think the attackers are not slugs or snails.

Mike.

[JohnB47]

Could be a few of the little blighters (snails that is) are resting actually on the plant, or on the supports. They're difficult to spot - look under leaves and in places where they might be hidden from the sun.

I had that problem last year with snails on my tomato plants - couldn't figure why there was continuous fruit damage despite slug pellets placed around the bottom - eventually discovered some on the plant.

[greenhead]

Do slug pellets have any effect on snails?  Last year I went out to the plot at night with a torch - couldn't see anything but got arrested by the local bobby!!  Mmmm

Mike.

[Beetroot queen]

Do slug pellets have any effect on snails?  Last year I went out to the plot at night with a torch - couldn't see anything but got arrested by the local bobby!!  Mmmm

Mike.

Dont seem to have had much effect on our snails  i thought they would have done both, isnt a snail just a slug with a house on its back after all 

[mumofstig]

They kill both in my garden 

[seaside]

Having served my not very successful "vegetable apprenticeship" in my partially shaded walled garden, it's always a good idea to check for snails high up on the plants... they hang around there for days if there's enough shelter, and do most of the damage when the business end is reached.
Have just bought a bottle of ferrous phosphate slug pellets that call themselves organic.
I've checked them out with the soil association and was quite surprised they seem to be ok with them provided they are used in the correct manner alongside other measures, and one is under enough of a threat from the slime... really quite surprised. Happy with that and now looking forward to the battle with a little less guilt. I hope the slime are listening. I would willingly negotiate a 10% loss and a safe  haven for them, but negotiations have broken down.

[salmonking]

They kill both in my garden 

yep mine too