What's eating my common angel's trumpet?

Common Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia arborea) is a vigorous outdoor shrub heavily targeted by chewing insects. Caterpillars — particularly hornworms and loopers — can strip a plant overnight. Whiteflies, spider mites, and aphids colonise foliage in warm weather. Deer and rabbits occasionally browse young stems. Check plants daily and act fast when pest populations build.

Large irregular holes in leaves; severe defoliation can occur very rapidly Hand-pick at night; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to foliage; use spinosad for heavy infestations

Clouds of tiny white insects on leaf undersides; yellowing leaves and sticky honeydew Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin; encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps

Clustered on new shoots and buds; distorted growth, honeydew, and sooty mould Knock off with strong water jets; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybugs

Pale, dusty stippling on leaves; fine webbing in hot, dry summers Spray with horticultural oil or miticide; increase watering and overhead misting in dry spells