What's eating my banana passionfruit?

Banana passionfruit (Passiflora antioquiensis) attracts heliconiine and gulf fritillary caterpillars that can rapidly defoliate stems, aphids on tender new growth, and spider mites in dry conditions. As a flowering vine closely related to P. mollissima, caterpillar damage is the most visually dramatic threat and the one requiring quickest action.

Larvae consume leaves aggressively, sometimes stripping entire stems; orange-red caterpillars with black spines visible on foliage Hand-pick where feasible; spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) at first sign of egg hatch; tolerate light feeding as adults are important pollinators

Dense colonies on growing tips cause distorted, curled leaves and sticky honeydew encouraging sooty mould Knock off with a strong water spray; apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; attract natural predators such as ladybirds

Fine pale stippling on upper leaf surfaces with webbing beneath; foliage bronzes and drops in hot, dry weather Increase ambient humidity; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; repeat applications weekly until infestation clears