Pest identification
What's eating my cape honeysuckle?
Aphids
Signs: Dense clusters on shoot tips and flower buds; distorted growth; honeydew attracting sooty mould
Control: Blast off with hose; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce predatory insects
Whitefly
Signs: White adult flies under leaves; yellowing and sticky foliage; sooty mould in persistent infestations
Control: Yellow sticky traps; apply insecticidal soap to undersides of leaves; pyrethrin-based spray as a last resort
Scale insects
Signs: Hard bumps along stems; weakened growth; leaf yellowing and drop in heavy infestations
Control: Scrub off with soft brush and alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray when crawlers are active
Keep cape honeysuckle pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Cape honeysuckle pests — FAQ
What is eating my cape honeysuckle?
Cape honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis) is generally tough, but aphids colonise new growth in spring and summer. Whitefly can be problematic in sheltered or indoor settings. Scale insects occasionally establish on older woody stems. In gardens, caterpillars of certain hawk moths feed on foliage but rarely cause serious damage.
How do I get rid of aphids on cape honeysuckle?
Dense clusters on shoot tips and flower buds; distorted growth; honeydew attracting sooty mould Blast off with hose; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce predatory insects
How do I get rid of whitefly on cape honeysuckle?
White adult flies under leaves; yellowing and sticky foliage; sooty mould in persistent infestations Yellow sticky traps; apply insecticidal soap to undersides of leaves; pyrethrin-based spray as a last resort
How do I get rid of scale insects on cape honeysuckle?
Hard bumps along stems; weakened growth; leaf yellowing and drop in heavy infestations Scrub off with soft brush and alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray when crawlers are active