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The Daily Insight

What is eating my eggplant in the garden?

Author

Matthew Wilson

Updated on March 01, 2026

Aphids and whiteflies both have piercing, sucking mouthparts used to suck the sap out of eggplant leaves and stems. Both pests are primarily found on the undersides of the leaves. As they feed, they secrete a sticky waste known as honeydew. Shot-hole feeding damage caused by flea beetles on eggplant foliage.

How do you protect eggplant from pests?

Starts here2:11How to Protect Eggplant – YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clip57 second suggested clipAnd you can see a lot of flea beetle damage. And here’s an eggplant that’s been sprayed severalMoreAnd you can see a lot of flea beetle damage. And here’s an eggplant that’s been sprayed several times with surround. And you can see a nice heavy coating of surround. On the leaves.

What is the major pest of eggplant?

Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer
The most destructive insect pest of eggplant in the Philippines and other Asian countries is the Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer (FSB).

How do you treat eggplant for bugs?

Starts here5:21Treating Eggplant Flea Beetle Damage & Managing GardenYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clip48 second suggested clipAnd. I consider this an infestation. When I have something that is greater than you know me justMoreAnd. I consider this an infestation. When I have something that is greater than you know me just seeing the beginning damage.

What is eating my aubergines?

Caterpillars are the most likely as that is the way they feed. Look for any leaves which are folded or bunched together, as caterpillars often do this (with silk) to make themselves a comfy home.

How do you treat lace bugs on eggplant?

Apply ultra-fine horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to control damaging populations of this occasional pest. Be sure to direct the spray to the upper and lower leaf surfaces.

What is eating my aubergine plant?

How do you get rid of lace bugs on eggplant?

Organic Control Conserve natural enemies of eggplant lace wings include ladybugs, spiders, and pirate bugs. Insecticidal soaps, pyrethrins and neem oil can be sprayed onto the undersides of the leaves.

How do I control aphids on my eggplant?

You can often get rid of aphids by wiping or spraying the leaves of the plant with a mild solution of water and a few drops of dish soap. Soapy water should be reapplied every 2-3 days for 2 weeks.

Do slugs eat eggplant leaves?

Two additional garden foes of the eggplant are snails and slugs. Snails and slugs, like the flea beetles, also leave holes in plant leaves; however, the holes are much larger with irregular-shaped borders.

Do slugs eat aubergine?

Slugs and snails seem to love aubergine plants. We only managed to keep one of our young plants due the others being devastated.

What are the most common eggplant pests?

Flea beetles

  • Shoot Borers
  • Hornworms
  • Aphids
  • Cucumber beetles
  • Earwigs
  • Snails
  • Slugs
  • Whiteflies
  • Thrips
  • What bug eats eggplant leaves?

    A: That’s the work of flea beetles, the bane of eggplants. Flea beetles are tiny black bugs that chew holes in leaves like someone peppered them with miniature buckshot. They’ll attack mustard, radishes and sometimes cole crops , but eggplant is their favorite. At least it is in my garden.

    What is eating my eggplant leaves?

    One of the most obvious of the eggplant pests is the leaf-eating Colorado potato beetle . This striped beetle and its larva consume the foliage of potatoes, peppers and tomatoes. Tiny spider mites are one group of eggplant pests that suck the juices of eggplants, weakening the plants.

    Is eggplant an egg?

    Name “eggplant” originates from 18th century when cultivars with small, white fruit, shaped like hen’s egg were popular. Eggplant is known as “crazy apple” in Italy due to widespread belief that diet rich in eggplants leads to madness.