What's eating my campsis radicans?

Trumpet vine is vigorous and largely pest-resistant, but aphids and spider mites are the most frequent visitors, especially on young shoots in warm weather. Whitefly can build up in sheltered spots. Caterpillars occasionally skeletonise leaves. Hummingbirds attracted to the flowers are allies, not pests.

Dense clusters on soft shoot tips and flower stalks; honeydew coats leaves below causing sooty mould; flower buds may be distorted Knock off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators; healthy vigorous plants usually outgrow mild infestations

Pale stippling on upper leaf surface; fine webbing on undersides during hot, dry summers; heavy infestations cause premature leaf drop Spray foliage forcefully with water to dislodge mites; ensure adequate soil moisture; apply neem oil or a registered acaricide if necessary

Clouds of tiny white insects fly when foliage is disturbed; nymphs on leaf undersides excrete honeydew promoting sooty mould Use yellow sticky traps; spray undersides with insecticidal soap; avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen which promotes the soft growth whitefly prefer

Irregular holes or skeletonised leaves; frass pellets on and under affected foliage; can defoliate individual stems Hand-pick and destroy; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to foliage; encourage insectivorous birds to patrol the garden