What's eating my arabian jasmine?

Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) is often grown in containers or warm sheltered spots, making it a magnet for aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Mealybugs are particularly troublesome on potted plants or in humid, sheltered environments. Scale insects can colonise woody stems. All produce honeydew that triggers sooty mould. Check weekly; treat early with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

White cottony masses at stem joints and leaf axils; sticky honeydew; wilting and yellowing foliage Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swab; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly; isolate affected plants

Pear-shaped green or black insects on soft new shoots; curled distorted leaves; honeydew attracting ants Knock off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce beneficial insects

Tiny white insects on leaf undersides; sooty mould on upper surfaces; leaves yellow and drop prematurely Spray undersides with horticultural soap or neem oil every 5–7 days; use yellow sticky traps

Brown or white dome-shaped shells on stems; sooty mould; gradual plant weakening Scrape off manually; treat with horticultural oil; repeat at 2–3 week intervals to catch crawlers