On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:08:14 -0000, "p. pleater"
wrote:

My strawberry bed is being ravaged by something which nibbles the edges
of leaves as well as making large holes in them.
The whole bed looks like an infestation but I cannot find any samples at
all of the culprits. First thoughts were that it was slugs but a
"knowledgeable" neighbour claims that the pattern of damage shows its
not them......but he doesn't know what is causing the damage.
Strangely, I've got lots of largish unripe fruit but they are not being
damaged.
Any suggestions please ?

If they are old leaves you may as well cut them off anyway.
If it is vine weevil in open ground there's not a lot you can do.
You might water the soil with an Armillatox solution, though it is not
now advertised for that purpose, but I agree that vine weevil, in my
experience, only eat the edges of leaves, and do not make holes.
I think it more likely that it's some sort of caterpillar.
Cut the old leaves and watch out for any possible offenders.
Time will tell!

Pam in Bristol