Pest identification
What's eating my white frangipani?
Frangipani caterpillar (Pseudosphinx tetrio)
Signs: Rapid, complete defoliation; frass beneath the tree; large striped caterpillars on bare wood.
Control: Hand-pick daily during active feeding; Bt spray; physical removal of egg clusters from leaf undersides.
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy tufts in axils and joints; honeydew promotes sooty mold; weakened flowering.
Control: Alcohol-swab treatment; neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce Cryptolaemus ladybird beetles.
Frangipani rust (Coleosporium plumeriae)
Signs: Yellow spots on upper leaf surface; orange-yellow powdery pustules on undersides; premature leaf drop.
Control: Remove and bag infected leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper-based fungicide preventatively in wet seasons.
Keep white frangipani pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
White Frangipani pests — FAQ
What is eating my white frangipani?
White Frangipani (Plumeria alba) is one of the most pest-susceptible plumerias in humid climates. The frangipani caterpillar (Pseudosphinx tetrio) can defoliate the tree in days. Mealybugs shelter in branch forks year-round. Frangipani rust (Coleosporium plumeriae) appears as yellow-orange pustules on leaf undersides in wet seasons.
How do I get rid of frangipani caterpillar (pseudosphinx tetrio) on white frangipani?
Rapid, complete defoliation; frass beneath the tree; large striped caterpillars on bare wood. Hand-pick daily during active feeding; Bt spray; physical removal of egg clusters from leaf undersides.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on white frangipani?
White waxy tufts in axils and joints; honeydew promotes sooty mold; weakened flowering. Alcohol-swab treatment; neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce Cryptolaemus ladybird beetles.
How do I get rid of frangipani rust (coleosporium plumeriae) on white frangipani?
Yellow spots on upper leaf surface; orange-yellow powdery pustules on undersides; premature leaf drop. Remove and bag infected leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper-based fungicide preventatively in wet seasons.