Torn ampullaria leaves
 

This is one of my ampullaria.
I am wondering about the cause to its torn leaves.
From the photo, 3 new leaves and its shoot have dead tissues.
As the leaves expand, they look like eaten by bugs. But I don't think bug attack is the cause.
There is another pot of ampullaria next to this one. That one seems fine.
Other than aesthetically unappealing, the plant looks healthy pitchering.
Any suggestions on how to solve this?

Attachment 4029

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

same thing happens to one of my n. rafflesiana, but only to one particularly leaf where it ends up failing to pitcher, for mine, caused by slugs/snails, they attack on the very early stage when the new leafs is emerging...

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

Looks like chewed by something. Some of my neps have leaves chewed by jap weevils (or at least they looked like it) before it's fully formed, while they're still tender and soft (sounds yummy). After the leaves fully grown, they have all type of weird looking damages / holes. Sometimes the wound get some infection and rot a bit.

Maybe you can find the culprit if you randomly check on your plants in the afternoon and evening. After found the culprit, you'll have enjoyable time putting it into the pitcher or VFT.

Just to share my experience (and cruelness) :)

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

Most probably catepillar. Check if got caterpillar droppings around.

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

its a bug. most likely a caterpillar, since they like the taste of new foliage. To prevent caterpillars and slugs, fill your water tray till there is just enough to cover the bottom. If its flying insects, i’d suggest an insecticide, but u prolly cant cant the stuff i know of.

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

I think most probably grasshopper. Caught a few chomping on my neps leaves before.

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

Caused by insects (black round catepillar that only comes out at night)... this problem usually will happen more frequent during rainy season. Check for a droppings just beside the chewed area (long strings).

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

I realise when you damage the leaf while its still small and growing...Just a small damage will turn into a big hole when the leaf is fully grown..

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

Mine having same problem, either caterpillar or grasshopper, you got to look around and catch. Usually if you have "Limau" "CNY Limau" they will come.*biggrin2*

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

It does look like pest problem. That was what I initially suspect.
I check it every night. There is no trace of worm/caterpillar/snail/slug. They usually produce droppings or slime nearby as pointed out by many. Grasshoppers are not too picky when eating. Old leaves are as tasty as new one for them. A note is that, another amp next to it is fine. So, I kind of rule out pest problem.

Dead tissues start appearing on new shoot. It does not look chewed but appear burnt. As the leaf expands, dead spots fail to form leaf.

After some thoughts, could it be overfed? I feed it frozen bloodworms. A few worms once a week in one pitcher. Every leaf is progressively bigger. The other amp has small pitchers. So, no feeding. That seems to be the only different. Yes, I know amp is supposed to be vegetarian...:) I am not sure if anyone feed/fertilize amp has plant matching this symptom?

I'll stop feeding and continue to look for pests. Thanks.

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

Just an update of its progress. I couldn't find pests on this plant.
After a month, it produces the largest leaf ever.

Attachment 4140

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

Ampullaria: I've had enough of this guys chewing bits and pieces of me. Now its my turn.(evil smile)

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

Chewing them back?!?! Well I have the same experience on my N.menarik. It's just a teeny weeny cut on it's leaf but it's probably something I did while watering. Hope your ampullaria stays in good condition!

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

I'm having this prob lately, more towards albomarginata...the pest chew off the growth point of my albo var rubra and albo cameroon...pissed me off...

I can wish those pest all the best on getting lost before my exam end, else they will all die in maximum pain...

Re: Torn ampullaria leaves
 

I think its a small furry caterpillar. One chewed my albomarginata leaf until only the midrib was left... But the growing point was not damaged and it has since grown back beautifully.