A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Plant pests and problems what's eating my broccoli?!

I planted these guys in May, and the leaves keep getting eaten! no florets yet! I've tried 3 applications of permethrin (the white powder you can see) with no luck! Also tried a "Squirrel away" which is basically a little bag of cat hair and moth balls. Any suggestions?!

http://www.cs.brown.edu/~dap/plant.jpg

Pests and disorders of Broccoli

Check out looper [cabbage looper].

I've looked hard and found no bugs, looper etc. Found a local place that sells spinosad and I'll try it, thanks.
any chance you think this is rabbit, mouse etc?

I noticed holes in my leaves also with no bugs on them. I have no clue what was eating it and still do not. Mine r not as damaged as yours r. I dont use any kind of insecticide as i try to go organic or safe eating. Last year i had lots of holey leaves but still got a good crop of broccoli and whatever ate the leaves did not eat the broccoli.
I plan on using Neem oil if i do have a problem as it is the safest so far. Next year I will plant differnt kinds of flowers that help keep bugs off the plants. I had a problem with the bugs that go on pickles last year and read how u plant radishes with them so this year i planted radishes right off and no bugs. %:<)

Could be flea beetles.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/PESTS/fleabeetles.html

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05592.html

anyone think this could be a rabbit or mouse? if so, how do I repel them?!

well whatever it was, spinosad worked so thanks to everyone!

Good to know that spinosad helped!