Pest identification
What's eating my tagetes erecta 'taishan orange'?
Spider mites
Signs: Silvery-bronze stippling on leaves; visible webbing under leaves in hot, dry spells.
Control: Mist plants in dry heat; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly until clear; remove badly affected leaves.
Budworm caterpillars (Helicoverpa spp.)
Signs: Buds bored into from the outside; visible frass and failure to open correctly.
Control: Spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); handpick caterpillars early in the morning.
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on young shoots causing curling and honeydew deposits.
Control: Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap spray; encourage predatory insects.
Keep tagetes erecta 'taishan orange' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats african marigold — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common tagetes erecta 'taishan orange' problems & fixes
- Tagetes erecta 'Taishan Orange' watering schedule
- Tagetes erecta 'Taishan Orange' light requirements
- Full tagetes erecta 'taishan orange' care guide
Tagetes erecta 'Taishan Orange' pests — FAQ
What is eating my tagetes erecta 'taishan orange'?
'Taishan Orange' is a compact African marigold with excellent heat tolerance, but spider mites thrive in the same hot, dry conditions. Budworm caterpillars bore into its prominent flower heads. Aphids congregate on shoot tips and slugs target newly planted seedlings. The strong scent naturally deters many other garden pests.
How do I get rid of spider mites on tagetes erecta 'taishan orange'?
Silvery-bronze stippling on leaves; visible webbing under leaves in hot, dry spells. Mist plants in dry heat; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly until clear; remove badly affected leaves.
How do I get rid of budworm caterpillars (helicoverpa spp.) on tagetes erecta 'taishan orange'?
Buds bored into from the outside; visible frass and failure to open correctly. Spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); handpick caterpillars early in the morning.
How do I get rid of aphids on tagetes erecta 'taishan orange'?
Colonies on young shoots causing curling and honeydew deposits. Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap spray; encourage predatory insects.