Pest identification
What's eating my elephant ear?
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on leaf undersides and new growth; leaves curl and yellow; heavy infestations stunt the plant and coat surfaces with sticky honeydew.
Control: Knock off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage natural predators such as ladybirds and lacewings in the garden.
Taro caterpillar (Spodoptera litura)
Signs: Ragged holes and large sections eaten from leaves; frass (droppings) visible on foliage; can defoliate a plant rapidly in warm weather.
Control: Hand-pick caterpillars in the evening; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to affected foliage; use pyrethrin as a last resort.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Irregular holes in leaves, especially near the base and on young emerging leaves; silvery slime trails visible on foliage and soil.
Control: Apply iron phosphate slug pellets (wildlife-safe) around the base; set beer traps; clear mulch and debris where they shelter during the day.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine speckling and bronzing of leaves; webbing under leaves in dry, warm conditions; leaves may curl and drop.
Control: Maintain adequate soil moisture and overhead misting; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly until clear.
Keep elephant ear pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Elephant ear pests — FAQ
What is eating my elephant ear?
Elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta) grown outdoors attracts a range of pests. Aphids, spider mites, and taro caterpillars are the most damaging. Slugs and snails shred young leaves at ground level, and in the US, deer and rabbits may browse the large foliage. Indoors, spider mites are the primary concern in dry conditions.
How do I get rid of aphids on elephant ear?
Dense colonies on leaf undersides and new growth; leaves curl and yellow; heavy infestations stunt the plant and coat surfaces with sticky honeydew. Knock off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage natural predators such as ladybirds and lacewings in the garden.
How do I get rid of taro caterpillar (spodoptera litura) on elephant ear?
Ragged holes and large sections eaten from leaves; frass (droppings) visible on foliage; can defoliate a plant rapidly in warm weather. Hand-pick caterpillars in the evening; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to affected foliage; use pyrethrin as a last resort.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on elephant ear?
Irregular holes in leaves, especially near the base and on young emerging leaves; silvery slime trails visible on foliage and soil. Apply iron phosphate slug pellets (wildlife-safe) around the base; set beer traps; clear mulch and debris where they shelter during the day.
How do I get rid of spider mites on elephant ear?
Fine speckling and bronzing of leaves; webbing under leaves in dry, warm conditions; leaves may curl and drop. Maintain adequate soil moisture and overhead misting; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly until clear.