What's eating my bacopa?

Bacopa (Sutera cordata) is a popular container trailing plant most troubled by whitefly, which thrives in warm sheltered conditions, and aphids on new growth. Spider mites cause leaf bronzing in dry heat. Fungus gnats breed in wet potting media. Slugs can damage young transplants in the ground. Whitefly is the most frequent and frustrating pest.

Clouds of tiny white insects on leaf undersides; sticky honeydew; sooty mould; leaves yellow and plant growth weakens Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap, pyrethrin, or neem oil spray on undersides; Encarsia formosa biological control in greenhouses; remove badly affected foliage

Colonies on soft new shoot tips and stems; honeydew; sooty mould; distorted and stunted growth Water blast; insecticidal soap or neem oil; pinch out infested tips; attract lacewings and ladybirds

Fine yellow-bronze stippling on leaves; webbing underneath; foliage looks dull and faded; worst in hot, dry weather Increase humidity around plant; spray neem oil or miticide to leaf undersides; avoid drought stress in containers

Adult gnats are a nuisance; larvae in potting media chew fine roots causing wilting and poor growth Allow potting medium to dry slightly between waterings; apply Steinernema feltiae nematodes to compost; yellow sticky traps for adults