Feeding Damage on Agave sp.

The feeding damage on the agave leaf shown in the photo is the latest of several similar examples that have come into the Cooperative Extension office here in Casa Grande, Arizona, USA.  The leaf shows hollowed out sections on the inner surfaces and missing sections at the leaf's margins.

The temptation, of course, is to blame an insect for the damage, but there are no known insects that would cause this kind of damage to agave species here in the Sonoran desert.  The agave snout weevil larva is a known pest on agave here but it is an internal feeder and causes an entirely different set of problems.  Typical agave snout weevil damage causes the drying and collapse of the entire plant.

The damage shown here is probably caused by a small mammal, such as a ground squirrel or more likely a small plant feeding rodent.  While we have not been able to positively identify the animal causing the damage through direct observation, we are fairly sure that we are on the right track.

Plants showing this kind of damage are typically younger and smaller plants, so it may be that as a plant ages and matures, the leaves become less attractive.  If we can get some growth on the plants, we should obtain relief from the feeding.

One way to protect the plant from further damage is to build a frame over the plant and drape the frame with bird netting.  Wire fencing is sometimes recommended to protect plants from vertebrate damages, and it works particularly well with rabbits, but fencing seems to be less effective against smaller animals because they tend to climb over the barrier.  Bird netting appears to work better, perhaps because they fear becoming entangled in the clingy mesh. As the plant matures, the netting can be removed.

If you would like to discuss this further, call one of our Master Gardener volunteers at 520.836.5221 extension 204. 

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Rick Gibson
Extension Agent, Agriculture
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
820 E. Cottonwood Lane, Building C
Casa Grande, Arizona 85122
Voice:    (520) 836-5221
Fax:    (520) 836-1750
email:    gibsonrd@ag.arizona.edu