What's eating my solanum laxum 'album'?

The white-flowered potato vine 'Album' shares the same pest profile as the species. Whitefly is the most troublesome pest, building up rapidly in warm sheltered conditions. Aphids colonise soft growth and flower buds, spider mites strike in dry heat, and flea beetles pepper leaves with tiny holes. Good air circulation reduces all of these.

Adults fly from disturbed foliage in clouds; nymphs feed on leaf undersides producing honeydew and sooty mould that reduces ornamental value Yellow sticky traps for monitoring; insecticidal soap sprays on undersides; Encarsia formosa parasitoid under glass; avoid lush nitrogen-driven growth

Shoot tips and flower stalks distorted and sticky; sooty mould stains the attractive white blooms and foliage Knock off with a water jet; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; rely on natural predators for light outbreaks

Stippled, pale foliage with webbing on undersides in hot dry spells; leaves bronze and drop, reducing vigour Water consistently during dry periods; spray foliage with water; apply neem oil or an acaricide if mites persist

Masses of small round holes in leaves, particularly targeting young foliage; weakens plant when attack is severe Use fine insect-proof mesh as a physical barrier; apply kaolin clay spray; treat with pyrethrin-based product in severe infestations