On 18/06/2020 15:25, Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp Esq wrote:

Hi,
I had a box with four marigolds in it in the window. This
morning they were fine, four healthy flower heads with one just ready
to open.

An hour ago I find no heads on the flowers, most of the unopened buds
gone with one half "eaten". Some bits of flower head are on the floor
under the window.

The internet suggested a caterpillar, but I emptied the soil from the
box and found nothing.


Only one plant looks worth re-planting, is the event a known problem?
I am in a rural place in the West of Ireland, I have the odd snail/
slug problem, but have not had wholesale damage in daylight.

Thanks for reading,

Advice would be much appreciated.

AB
From the well pummelled keyboard of Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp Esq


Possibly something a bit larger - rodent or bird...?
Mum used to love all of the wildlife, with the exception of the magpies,
who were known to stooge around the garden (1 adult and several chicks)
pecking the heads off flowers, just for the hell of it...

If slugs or snails there's generally a 'chewed' area at the top of the
stem, and slime....