What's eating my dipladenia (mandevilla)?

Dipladenia (Mandevilla) is most commonly attacked by spider mites, which thrive in warm, dry conditions indoors or on patios. Aphids target soft growing tips, mealybugs hide in leaf axils, and whitefly can build up quickly. Prompt isolation and treatment at first sign prevent fast-spreading colonies.

Pale stippling and bronzing on leaves, fine webbing under leaves and at stem joints, premature leaf drop in severe cases. Spray foliage forcefully with water; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly for 3–4 weeks. Raise ambient humidity to reduce re-infestation.

Sticky, shiny deposit on leaves and buds; curled or distorted growing tips; clusters of tiny green or black insects visible on new shoots. Blast off with water; spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil. Repeat every 5 days until populations collapse.

White cottony tufts in leaf axils and along stems; yellowing leaves and reduced flowering as sap is drained. Dab with alcohol-soaked swabs; drench soil with diluted neem solution for root mealybugs. Repeat weekly and isolate from other plants.

Clouds of tiny white flies erupt from under leaves when disturbed; yellowing, sticky leaves and sooty mold on surfaces below. Use yellow sticky traps to monitor; apply insecticidal soap or spinosad spray to undersides of leaves. Repeat every 4–5 days for 3 weeks.