What's eating my wave petunia?

Wave Petunias are targeted by aphids, tobacco budworms, and caterpillars as their primary pests, with spider mites possible in dry heat. Tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens) is the most destructive — it bores into buds before flowers open. Deer and rabbits browse petunias readily, so barriers may be needed in rural gardens.

Flower buds with small entry holes that fail to open; petals ragged or missing; green-brown caterpillars hidden in blooms. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad spray in the evening when larvae are active. Deadhead damaged buds and dispose of them away from the plant. Repeat weekly.

Dense colonies on stem tips and buds; sticky honeydew; curled, distorted new growth. Spray forcefully with water; follow with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5–7 days. Encourage natural predators.

Ragged holes in leaves and petals; stems cut at soil level on young transplants. Hand-pick caterpillars at dusk. Apply Bt spray to foliage. Use a physical collar (cardboard tube) around stems to deter cutworms.

Whole stems browsed to the ground overnight, especially at the garden edge. Use deer repellent sprays (reapply after rain) or erect a low wire mesh barrier around beds. Motion-activated deterrents help in persistent areas.