What's eating my bougainvillea 'barbara karst'?

Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst' shares the genus's top threat: the bougainvillea looper caterpillar (Disclisioprocta stellata), an inchworm that feeds at night and scallops leaf edges rapidly. Aphids, scale, and mealybugs also feed on sap. The looper can strip entire branches if unchecked. Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) or spinosad at first sign of scalloped damage; treat sap-suckers with neem oil.

Scalloped or entire leaf margins eaten; small dark frass pellets visible beneath — feeding peaks at night Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad spray in the evening; hand-pick caterpillars; repeat after rain

Soft-bodied insects on new growth; curled leaves; honeydew leading to sooty mould and ant trails Blast off with water; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybirds

Hard shells on stems and older wood; honeydew and sooty mould; gradual yellowing and dieback Scrub off with a stiff brush and horticultural oil; treat crawlers with insecticidal soap in late spring

Waxy white masses at branch crotches; copious honeydew; stunted, dropping leaves Remove manually; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly; neem soil soak provides systemic protection