In summer and fall it's grasshoppers. In winter and spring when it's dry it's something else. Not totally sure who the culpret is, but I strongly suspect field rats. They were the cause year before last when it had been dry and there was nothing green in the winter months. When I finally caught one in a trap it was as large as a tree squirrel. At least so far they aren't eating all the wiring they can find. It's not mice because a wire basket is enough to prevent further damage and they would have no trouble getting inside the wires. Not deer or I'd have seen the tracks. Might be cottontails, but they hang around in the iris beds year round and don't damage them. Also the dogs live and dream about chasing them. The damage is way to widespread for them to have overlooked rabbits for that long. Whole areas of the iris look like they've had a weedeater taken to them - and a ragged job of it at that. Every day there is more damage. Can't win. Beds that were filled up with oak leaves promptly get eaten when they are cleared. This was a seedling from last year. That group hasn't had any breaks at all from the time they were planted. Probably will have to wait another year to see much bloom from them.