Hole in pseudobulb? What the...

[NLN]

My Max. tenuifolia is in bud, and today I noticed that one of the lowest pseudobulbs has been bored into! Almost all the way through Whatever did this is fast - the damage definitely wasn't there a day or two ago.

Thoughts on what caused this, so I can kill it? It seems too deep to be snails. And FWIW this plant grows on a windowsill, hasn't been outdoors since August, and has been kept fairly dry over the winter.

[WhiteRabbit]

Grass hopper? Mouse?

[james mickelso]

Slug or worm damage. If worm then it is pupating in your media. If slug it is hiding down in the media. Slugs can crawl right through window screens when just hatched.

[OCRC_Dir_China]

Could be caused by a clear-winged chalcid wasp (AKA orchidfly); They insert their eggs into the tissue. The young eat their way out so exit holes are common.

[NLN]

Well, I soaked the plant in Bayer's systemic 3-in-1 product and then laid down slug bait. I also poked around a bit in the media, looking to see if any critters emerged, but no such luck. So, hopefully the systemic and the bait will take care of it - I haven't had any more damage to the plant, so my fingers are crossed!!

Thanks all for the suggestions, and if I can figure out what did it, I'll add in an update!

[orchid60]

Do you have Cockroaches? they will eat into an apple if left on bench

[cbuchman]

For slugs and many other insects that hide in the media, submerge the pot in water and leave it there for 1/2 hour or more. The critters need air and rise to the surface.....

[Bud]

the flowers of the tenuifolia is coconut smelling so I assume the bulbs must smell yummy as well....
a small rodent must have taken a bite and didn't like the taste and left....looking at the front tooth mark ....if it tasted good the bulbs would all be eaten.