Pest identification
What's eating my giant thevetia?
Oleander aphid (Aphis nerii)
Signs: Yellow-orange clusters on shoot tips and buds; honeydew leads to sooty mold.
Control: Knock off with water spray; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until clear.
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony fluff at leaf axils and stem nodes; leaves yellow and drop.
Control: Dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray neem oil or systemic imidacloprid for heavy infestations.
Oleander hawk-moth caterpillar (Daphnis nerii)
Signs: Rapid, large-scale leaf stripping by large green caterpillars.
Control: Handpick at dusk; apply Bt spray to foliage if populations are high.
Keep giant thevetia pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Giant Thevetia pests — FAQ
What is eating my giant thevetia?
Giant thevetia shares pest pressures with its close relative yellow oleander — oleander aphids, scale, and mealybugs are the main threats. Outdoors, oleander hawk-moth caterpillars can defoliate branches rapidly. Routine inspection and neem oil applications keep populations manageable.
How do I get rid of oleander aphid (aphis nerii) on giant thevetia?
Yellow-orange clusters on shoot tips and buds; honeydew leads to sooty mold. Knock off with water spray; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until clear.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on giant thevetia?
White cottony fluff at leaf axils and stem nodes; leaves yellow and drop. Dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray neem oil or systemic imidacloprid for heavy infestations.
How do I get rid of oleander hawk-moth caterpillar (daphnis nerii) on giant thevetia?
Rapid, large-scale leaf stripping by large green caterpillars. Handpick at dusk; apply Bt spray to foliage if populations are high.