What's eating my jasmine (pink jasmine)?

Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) is heavily targeted by aphids and mealybugs, both of which coat new growth and flower buds. Outdoors, spider mites attack in hot dry spells and scale insects colonise woody stems. Whitefly can be problematic when grown under glass. Inspect buds carefully — aphids often hide inside.

Dense colonies on soft shoot tips and flower buds; sticky honeydew and black sooty mould; buds may fail to open. Blast off with water; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybirds/lacewings outdoors.

White waxy masses in stem joints and where leaves attach; foliage yellows; honeydew drips onto lower leaves. Treat with alcohol swab on small infestations; follow with neem oil or systemic insecticide for larger colonies; repeat fortnightly.

Brown or tan oval bumps on stems and underside of older leaves; weakened growth and sticky honeydew. Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil to smother crawlers; treat twice, 2 weeks apart.

Fine pale stippling on leaves; silky webbing under leaves in hot, dry summers; leaves may bronze and drop. Increase humidity; spray forcefully with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to all leaf surfaces every 5–7 days.