The Horde

Back in the mid-90's, I played a computer game called "The Horde" a lot. In it you were meant to defend a town from an attacking group of red goblin-like creatures. I remember it being quite frustrating, as many games back then were, but I don't remember too many details about it. There is one thing that will stick in my mind forever though: just when you thought you had scrambled around and killed enough goblins to end the level, this hunting horn/goblin cry would sound and another, bigger wave of goblins would come running out of the countryside toward your village.

In other words, it was futile. You'd never be able to handle the horde, and the game ended up being more frustrating than enjoyable. That's how gardening sometimes feels to me. Do you see this green and bushy marigold? It was struggling earlier in the summer, but I didn't give up on it and it rewarded me with vigorous growth and so many blooms!

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Well, five days later it's a different story:

There's definitely something wrong with this plant, but I just can't seem to place what it is exactly... oh yeah, IT HAS NO LEAVES!!

What the heck is stripping leaves from a marigold? On the few remaining leaves I could see some damage, but couldn't identify it:

It doesn't look like slug damage, and it's certainly not from rabbits or other larger animals.

I got my answer when I checked the plant early the next morning, before it was too light:

Pillbugs! (Also known as "sowbugs" or "roly poly" depending on where you live.) This is crazy!

I've never known them to do this to a plant, as they usually eat decaying plant materials, not live plants. From the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture page about these crustaceans:

Sowbugs and pillbugs are scavengers and feed mainly on decaying organic matter. They occasionally feed on young plants but the damage inflicted is seldom significant.

Well I guess I won the roly poly lottery then, didn't I?

There were quite a few on the ground, leaving the area -- they're primarily nocturnal so when it gets light they seek refuge:

They're starting to attack the blooms too:

I'm glad this was just a marigold, and not something more unique or beloved. Looks like I need to find a replacement plant for this spot... I've been meaning to take a trip to the local nurseries, as it's been months and months since I've been there.

I learned something about pillbugs today: they can come out of nowhere and destroy your village -- I mean plant.

I think I just heard a horn-like goblin cry coming from the back garden!

(That was probably just the new neighbors' beagle.)

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