Iris pests

Other than the iris borer, what are some other iris pests?

I'm concerned because one of my iris rhizomes got dug out of the soil by our cat, and I noticed CARPENTER ANTS in the hole, will ants eat my irises? What about earwigs?

So far nothing seems to be feeding on them but I want to be prepared.

Also, are iris borers all over the country?

THanks.

I have read that crickets will make small holes in the tops of rhizomes while feeding on them, and grasshoppers can consume all the top growth. Iris weevils (aka iris snout beetles) will feed on iris blooms and buds and lay their eggs inside seed pods. Aphids will suck juices out of iris foliage. All sorts of maggoty things will feed opportunistically on rotting rhizomes.

There may be other insect pests, but I don't believe any are more potentially deadly to irises than borers. You can find a map of "borer territory" here:

http://www.gardenshield.com

Laurie

ewwwwwww i found my first and second bores yesterday-gag