What's eating my water lemon?

Water lemon (Passiflora laurifolia) is an edible fruiting vine susceptible to fruit flies that contaminate the pulp, root-knot nematodes that weaken the root system, and slugs and snails that damage young plants at ground level. Fruit flies pose the greatest economic risk by causing premature fruit drop and rot.

Females lay eggs in flower buds and developing fruit; larvae feed inside, causing premature drop and pulp contamination Use protein-bait traps; remove and destroy fallen fruit promptly; bag developing fruits where practical; apply approved spinosad bait

Swollen galls on roots reduce water and nutrient uptake, causing wilting, yellowing and vine decline Improve drainage; incorporate organic matter; use nematode-resistant rootstocks where available; solarise soil before planting in warm climates

Ragged holes in young leaves and stems, particularly on seedlings and low-growing growth; slime trails visible Apply iron phosphate pellets around the base; use gritty mulch barriers; hand-pick at night; remove dense ground debris