Pest identification
What's eating my superb pink?
Aphids (various species)
Signs: Colonies on soft new growth and flower buds; honeydew, sooty mould, and bud distortion
Control: Remove infested tips; spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; introduce or attract aphid predators
Slugs and snails
Signs: Irregular notched holes in lower leaves and stems; slime trails; seedlings destroyed overnight
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets; use grit mulch around crowns; collect by hand at dusk; avoid overly moist conditions
Carnation tortrix moth caterpillar (Cacoecimorpha pronubana)
Signs: Silk-webbed leaves; caterpillars eat within webbing leaving brown, papery damage on foliage
Control: Unroll webbing and remove caterpillars; spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for heavier infestations
Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Pale speckled bronzing on leaves; fine webbing underneath; most severe in hot, dry weather
Control: Increase humidity; spray neem oil or miticide; avoid drought stress which makes plants more vulnerable
Keep superb pink pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Superb pink pests — FAQ
What is eating my superb pink?
Dianthus superbus, a delicate perennial pink, is most susceptible to aphids on flower stems and spider mites in hot dry conditions. Slugs and snails graze foliage at ground level, especially in spring. Carnation tortrix caterpillars occasionally web and eat leaves. Aphids are the most regularly reported pest.
How do I get rid of aphids (various species) on superb pink?
Colonies on soft new growth and flower buds; honeydew, sooty mould, and bud distortion Remove infested tips; spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; introduce or attract aphid predators
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on superb pink?
Irregular notched holes in lower leaves and stems; slime trails; seedlings destroyed overnight Apply iron phosphate pellets; use grit mulch around crowns; collect by hand at dusk; avoid overly moist conditions
How do I get rid of carnation tortrix moth caterpillar (cacoecimorpha pronubana) on superb pink?
Silk-webbed leaves; caterpillars eat within webbing leaving brown, papery damage on foliage Unroll webbing and remove caterpillars; spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for heavier infestations
How do I get rid of two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae) on superb pink?
Pale speckled bronzing on leaves; fine webbing underneath; most severe in hot, dry weather Increase humidity; spray neem oil or miticide; avoid drought stress which makes plants more vulnerable