What's eating my heavenly blue morning glory?

Heavenly blue morning glory is most often damaged by the golden tortoise beetle and other tortoise beetles that chew irregular holes in leaves. Aphids colonize tender growth, and spider mites flare in hot dry spells. Caterpillars including the sweet potato hornworm can strip foliage. Tortoise beetles are the most distinctive pest of this genus.

Irregular round holes eaten through leaf blades; shiny gold-to-reddish adults and spiny larvae both feed on foliage. Hand-pick adults and larvae; apply spinosad or pyrethrin; remove and destroy eggs found on leaf undersides.

Colonies of small insects on stem tips and buds; honeydew leads to sooty mold and curled, distorted leaves. Strong water spray; insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators.

Silvery or bronze stippling on leaves; fine webbing on undersides; worst in hot, dry, crowded conditions. Mist foliage regularly; apply neem oil or miticide to undersides; improve air circulation.

Large caterpillars consume entire leaves and soft stems; damage can appear suddenly and be extensive overnight. Hand-pick large caterpillars; Bt spray for young larvae; check plants in the evening when feeding is most active.