Pest identification
What's eating my celadine frangipani?
Frangipani caterpillar (Pseudosphinx tetrio)
Signs: Overnight defoliation of entire branches; large banded larvae clustered on stems.
Control: Hand-pick larvae and eggs; Bt spray on young caterpillars; check plants daily during warm, humid months.
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits at stem nodes and leaf axils; sooty mold; ants farming honeydew.
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil spray; disrupt ant trails to reduce mealybug protection.
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown bumps on branches; bark discoloration; reduced vigour and flowering.
Control: Scrape off and apply horticultural oil; systemic insecticide for severe, widespread infestations.
Keep celadine frangipani pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Celadine Frangipani pests — FAQ
What is eating my celadine frangipani?
Celadine Frangipani (Plumeria rubra 'Celadine') follows the same pest profile as the Plumeria rubra species: the frangipani caterpillar is the number-one defoliating threat, while mealybugs and scale insects are the persistent year-round sap-feeders. Whitefly can establish on the soft growth flush that follows heavy pruning or re-potting.
How do I get rid of frangipani caterpillar (pseudosphinx tetrio) on celadine frangipani?
Overnight defoliation of entire branches; large banded larvae clustered on stems. Hand-pick larvae and eggs; Bt spray on young caterpillars; check plants daily during warm, humid months.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on celadine frangipani?
Cottony white deposits at stem nodes and leaf axils; sooty mold; ants farming honeydew. Dab with isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil spray; disrupt ant trails to reduce mealybug protection.
How do I get rid of scale insects on celadine frangipani?
Hard brown bumps on branches; bark discoloration; reduced vigour and flowering. Scrape off and apply horticultural oil; systemic insecticide for severe, widespread infestations.