What is happening to my German Ivy?? (updated)

[Binkalette]

Six years ago I got a piece of German Ivy from my Grandmother and put it into a cup of water to root. Every year, before the fall I take a clipping or two off of my plant and bring it inside to root and grow indoors, then put it out in the spring again. I've never had any problems with any of my plants until now. My Ivy is growing like CRAZY this year, and over the last week, I have notice these spots on the leaves appearing. I assumed it was bugs, only problem is, I can't find any bugs!!!! What do you guys think it is??









Thanks!

[Kisal]

Have you looked at night for insects?

It doesn't really look like the typical leaf-spot diseases that affect ivies. Leaf spots from fungal or bacterial infections are usually circular in shape and dark in the center, with a lighter ring around the edge of the spot.

[microcollie]

It looks a bit like the kind of damage done by flea beetles. They can be a little hard to spot since most varities are small and move very quickly when disturbed. If you can quickly put a clear trash bag over the plant and give it a shake, you might find some small things that hide well or move quickly. The good news is that flea beetles hardly ever infest to the extent that the plant suffers much. A good spritz with soapy water often clears it up.
Kisal brings up a good point that sometimes noctournal pests aren't visible during the daytime. The same bag trick done at night might help.

[Binkalette]

Good call on the nocturnal stuff guys. I went outside just a couple of minutes ago, it's 12:20 AM and I found this little green caterpillars all over the under sides of my leaves! What are they?

[microcollie]

Can't really see well enough in the picture to make an ID. Any chance of a close-up?
Ivys are sturdy enough that you can spray them pretty strongly with a hose. My first plan of attack would be to turn the plant on its side (to keep them from being washed into the soil) and give it a fairly strong spritz with a hose (not strong enough to damage the leaves, but strong enough to remove the pests). If you still see them a couple days later, then turn to harsher methods (soap, hot pepper spray, etc)