What's eating my torenia fournieri?

Torenia fournieri (wishbone flower) grown as an annual outdoors or in containers is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whitefly, and slugs. Aphids and whitefly target the soft stems and buds, while slugs attack seedlings at ground level. Aphids are the most consistently problematic pest throughout the growing season.

Dense colonies on new shoots and flower buds causing curling and poor flowering; honeydew and sooty mold follow Knock off with a water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybugs and lacewing larvae

Clouds of tiny white flies from leaf undersides when disturbed; leaves yellow and become sticky with honeydew Use yellow sticky traps; spray insecticidal soap or pyrethrin targeting leaf undersides; remove heavily infested leaves

Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaves, especially in hot dry spells; foliage looks dull and bronzed Increase watering and humidity; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; avoid overhead watering which can spread mites

Seedlings and young transplants ragged or completely eaten at soil level overnight Use ferric phosphate slug pellets; apply copper tape around pots; hand-pick at dusk; allow soil surface to dry