What's eating my water spinach 'bangkok large leaf'?

Water spinach 'Bangkok Large Leaf' (Ipomoea aquatica) is most seriously threatened by caterpillars — particularly armyworms and hornworm-related species — which consume the large, soft leaves rapidly. Aphids and whitefly colonise the growing tips. In warm climates with outdoor crops, leaf-eating beetles and grasshoppers can also cause damage.

Large ragged holes and near-total defoliation of soft leaves; frass present; caterpillars often hide under leaves during the day. Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray at dusk; use floating row covers for seedling protection.

Dense colonies on growing tips and stem nodes; leaves curl downward; honeydew attracts ants and leads to sooty mould. Knock off with a strong water jet; introduce ladybirds; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to affected shoot tips.

Tiny white adults scatter when plant is disturbed; nymphs feed on leaf undersides, causing yellowing and sticky honeydew deposits. Use yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap or neem oil spray targeting undersides of leaves; encourage natural predators like Encarsia wasps.