Pest identification
What's eating my bougainvillea?
Bougainvillea looper caterpillar (Disclisioprocta stellata)
Signs: Leaves skeletonized or completely defoliated, often overnight; small pale-green caterpillars present on stems
Control: Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray at first sign; use a pyrethrin-based spray for heavy infestations
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew on new shoots; curled, distorted bracts and leaves; sooty mold may follow
Control: Blast off with a strong jet of water; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybirds/lacewings as biological control
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony fluff in leaf axils and stem joints; weakened, yellowing growth
Control: Dab individual colonies with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan waxy bumps on stems; yellowing leaves, sticky honeydew and sooty mold
Control: Scrub off with a soft brush dipped in soapy water; apply horticultural oil in spring to smother crawlers
Keep bougainvillea pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Bougainvillea pests — FAQ
What is eating my bougainvillea?
Bougainvillea is most troubled by aphids and loopers outdoors. Aphids cluster on tender new growth, while bougainvillea looper caterpillars strip leaves overnight. Scale and mealybugs also attack, especially on container plants. Inspect new growth weekly; knock off aphids with a strong water spray and hand-pick caterpillars early.
How do I get rid of bougainvillea looper caterpillar (disclisioprocta stellata) on bougainvillea?
Leaves skeletonized or completely defoliated, often overnight; small pale-green caterpillars present on stems Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray at first sign; use a pyrethrin-based spray for heavy infestations
How do I get rid of aphids on bougainvillea?
Sticky honeydew on new shoots; curled, distorted bracts and leaves; sooty mold may follow Blast off with a strong jet of water; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybirds/lacewings as biological control
How do I get rid of mealybugs on bougainvillea?
White cottony fluff in leaf axils and stem joints; weakened, yellowing growth Dab individual colonies with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil
How do I get rid of scale insects on bougainvillea?
Brown or tan waxy bumps on stems; yellowing leaves, sticky honeydew and sooty mold Scrub off with a soft brush dipped in soapy water; apply horticultural oil in spring to smother crawlers