Pest identification
What's eating my ivory tree?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits at stem joints and leaf bases; honeydew accumulates, attracting ants.
Control: Remove with alcohol swabs; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; maintain good air flow.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on soft shoot tips; distorted new leaves and sticky honeydew residue.
Control: Dislodge with water spray; treat with insecticidal soap; introduce beneficial insects if outdoors.
Whitefly
Signs: Tiny white flies cloud up when foliage is disturbed; leaves pale and drop prematurely.
Control: Use yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil or pyrethrin-based insecticide early morning.
Keep ivory tree pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Ivory Tree pests — FAQ
What is eating my ivory tree?
Ivory tree (Wrightia antidysenterica) is primarily targeted by mealybugs, scale insects, and aphids on young growth. In humid tropical conditions, whitefly can also colonize the undersides of leaves. Despite some medicinal alkaloid content, the plant is not immune to sap-sucking insects; neem oil provides reliable control.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on ivory tree?
Cottony white deposits at stem joints and leaf bases; honeydew accumulates, attracting ants. Remove with alcohol swabs; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; maintain good air flow.
How do I get rid of aphids on ivory tree?
Clusters on soft shoot tips; distorted new leaves and sticky honeydew residue. Dislodge with water spray; treat with insecticidal soap; introduce beneficial insects if outdoors.
How do I get rid of whitefly on ivory tree?
Tiny white flies cloud up when foliage is disturbed; leaves pale and drop prematurely. Use yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil or pyrethrin-based insecticide early morning.