Pest identification
What's eating my thunbergia erecta?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale, stippled leaf surfaces, yellowing, and fine silk webbing on undersides in dry conditions
Control: Mist foliage to boost humidity and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days
Whiteflies
Signs: Clouds of small white insects on leaf undersides; yellowing leaves, sticky deposits, and sooty mold
Control: Hang yellow sticky traps; spray leaf undersides thoroughly with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin; repeat every 5 days
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white clusters at stem nodes and leaf axils; stunted shoot tips and sticky honeydew
Control: Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab, then follow with neem oil spray; inspect and treat weekly
Keep thunbergia erecta pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Thunbergia erecta pests — FAQ
What is eating my thunbergia erecta?
Thunbergia erecta (bush clockvine) is a tropical shrub that, when grown indoors or under glass, is most susceptible to spider mites and whiteflies. Outdoors in warm climates, aphids and scale can also attack. Mealybugs are a persistent indoor threat. Regular inspection of stem joints and leaf undersides is key to early control.
How do I get rid of spider mites on thunbergia erecta?
Pale, stippled leaf surfaces, yellowing, and fine silk webbing on undersides in dry conditions Mist foliage to boost humidity and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of whiteflies on thunbergia erecta?
Clouds of small white insects on leaf undersides; yellowing leaves, sticky deposits, and sooty mold Hang yellow sticky traps; spray leaf undersides thoroughly with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin; repeat every 5 days
How do I get rid of mealybugs on thunbergia erecta?
Cottony white clusters at stem nodes and leaf axils; stunted shoot tips and sticky honeydew Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab, then follow with neem oil spray; inspect and treat weekly