Pest identification
What's eating my moonflower?
Sphinx moth caterpillars (hornworms)
Signs: Large green caterpillars strip leaves and soft stems rapidly; overnight defoliation of entire sections is possible.
Control: Hand-pick large caterpillars; apply Bt spray targeting younger larvae at dusk; check plants nightly.
Tortoise beetles
Signs: Irregular round holes through leaf blades; gold or black adults and armored larvae feed on foliage through summer.
Control: Hand-pick; spinosad or pyrethrin spray; destroy egg masses on leaf undersides.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on shoot tips; leaves curl and distort; honeydew coats surfaces and encourages sooty mold.
Control: Water jet or insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators; remove ant colonies protecting aphids.
Keep moonflower pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Moonflower pests — FAQ
What is eating my moonflower?
Moonflower is susceptible to tortoise beetles and caterpillars that chew foliage, plus aphids on new growth. The sweet potato hornworm and related sphinx moth larvae are the most destructive caterpillar pests, capable of stripping stems overnight. Spider mites flare in hot weather. Moonflower's vigorous growth means it usually rebounds from all but severe attacks.
How do I get rid of sphinx moth caterpillars (hornworms) on moonflower?
Large green caterpillars strip leaves and soft stems rapidly; overnight defoliation of entire sections is possible. Hand-pick large caterpillars; apply Bt spray targeting younger larvae at dusk; check plants nightly.
How do I get rid of tortoise beetles on moonflower?
Irregular round holes through leaf blades; gold or black adults and armored larvae feed on foliage through summer. Hand-pick; spinosad or pyrethrin spray; destroy egg masses on leaf undersides.
How do I get rid of aphids on moonflower?
Clusters on shoot tips; leaves curl and distort; honeydew coats surfaces and encourages sooty mold. Water jet or insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators; remove ant colonies protecting aphids.