What's eating my bougainvillea 'raspberry ice'?

Bougainvillea 'Raspberry Ice' attracts the same pest community as all bougainvilleas. The looper caterpillar is the most destructive, chewing foliage overnight and leaving scalloped edges and frass. Aphids attack soft new growth, mealybugs colonise stem junctions, and scale settles on old wood. Routine evening inspections and prompt Bt or spinosad applications keep the looper in check.

Leaf edges scalloped or leaves fully consumed overnight; dark frass beneath plant; pale green to brown inchworm larvae Apply Bt or spinosad spray at dusk when larvae are active; hand-pick caterpillars; repeat after rain events

Dense colonies on new shoots and bracts; sticky honeydew; distorted or curling growth Knock off with a strong hose jet; neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; encourage natural predators

Cottony white masses in stem crotches and along stems; honeydew; leaf drop Manual removal; weekly neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; neem soil soak for persistent infestations

Hard or soft shells on woody stems; sooty mould on honeydew; progressive weakening Scrub with horticultural oil; treat crawlers with insecticidal soap; inspect in early spring before new growth