Alice du Pont mandevilla vines are treasured for their stunning blooms and lush foliage. But these vines frequently fall victim to ravenous caterpillars that can quickly destroy the leaves and flowers. If you’ve noticed caterpillars munching away on your Alice du Pont mandevilla, take heart. There are several highly effective methods to eliminate these pests and safeguard your prized vine.
Identifying Caterpillar Damage
Before taking any action, it’s vital to accurately diagnose a caterpillar infestation on your mandevilla. Watch for these telltale signs of caterpillar damage:
- Irregular holes chewed in the leaves
- Skeletonized leaves with only the veins left intact
- Jagged edges or odd patterns on leaves
- Visible caterpillars or their droppings (frass) on the plant
Once caterpillar activity is confirmed, it’s time to remove the pests and stop further harm to your vine.
Natural Caterpillar Control Methods
Handpicking
One of the easiest and best ways to eliminate caterpillars on mandevilla is simply plucking them off by hand. Wear gloves to protect yourself and meticulously inspect the vine, detaching any caterpillars you encounter. Check both sides of the leaves since caterpillars often hide on the undersides.
Beneficial Insects
Releasing natural predators like ladybugs, lacewings or tiny parasitic wasps can help diminish caterpillar numbers on your mandevilla. These beneficial bugs feast on caterpillars and their eggs, reducing the need for hazardous chemical treatments.
Neem Oil
Neem oil, extracted from the neem tree, is an organic pesticide that can effectively control caterpillars. Mix neem oil with water according to the product directions and spray it on infested areas of your mandevilla vine. Multiple applications may be needed to fully eliminate the pests.
Chemical Pesticide Options
If natural methods don’t provide adequate protection for your vine, you can use chemical pesticides as a last resort. Carefully follow all label instructions when applying any pesticide and take precautions to safeguard yourself and the environment.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
Bt is a natural bacteria that specifically kills caterpillars while leaving beneficial insects and wildlife unharmed. Use Bt on your mandevilla as directed on the packaging, targeting areas where caterpillars are feeding. Caterpillars ingest Bt which disrupts their digestive system, eventually causing death.
Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soap is an eco-friendly pesticide that kills soft-bodied insects like caterpillars on contact by suffocation Mix insecticidal soap with water as instructed and spray it directly on infested parts of the vine
Preventing Future Outbreaks
After successfully removing caterpillars from your Alice du Pont mandevilla, take these steps to avoid future infestations:
- Keep your garden tidy and free of debris where pests can hide.
- Plant a variety of flowering plants to draw beneficial predators.
- Avoid over-fertilizing which can spur excessive growth attracting pests.
- Frequently monitor for early signs of insects and quickly take action.
By diligently following these tips and using proven caterpillar control methods, you can keep your stunning Alice du Pont mandevilla vine flourishing and pest-free. A bit of patience and vigilance will allow you to enjoy the full beauty of this prized vine without interference from destructive caterpillar pests.
FAQ
How do I identify caterpillar damage on mandevilla?
Look for irregular holes in leaves, skeletonized leaves, chewed leaf edges, and visible caterpillars or frass on the plant.
What natural options work for controlling caterpillars on mandevilla?
Effective natural remedies include handpicking caterpillars, releasing beneficial insects, and applying neem oil.
When should I use chemical pesticides for caterpillars on mandevilla?
Only use pesticides like Bt or insecticidal soap if natural methods fail to provide adequate control.
How can I prevent future caterpillar infestations on my mandevilla?
Keep your garden clean, avoid over-fertilizing, plant flowers to attract beneficial insects, and regularly monitor for early signs of pests.
What safety precautions should I take when controlling caterpillars?
Wear gloves when handpicking caterpillars. Carefully follow all label directions if using chemical pesticides.
How to Grow Mandevilla
Indoors, mandevillas need curtain-filtered or bright indirect sunlight. Provide night temperatures of 60 to 65 °F and day temperatures above 70 °F. Plant in a mixture of equal parts peat moss, potting mix and builder’s sand. In spring and summer, feed every two weeks with a fertilizer high in phosphorus such as 10-20-10.
Outdoors, grow mandevillas in partial shade. They need rich, well-drained, sandy soil with humus added. Provide a frame, trellis or stake for support. Pinch young plants to induce bushiness.
Since 45 to 50 °F is the minimum temperature that can be tolerated by mandevilla, plants should be moved indoors for the winter. Before bringing them indoors, examine them carefully for pests. Look under the leaves, in the leaf axils, and in every conceivable nook and cranny for insects and their eggs. Remove any diseased or dead leaves by hand. Insect-infested plants can be doused with a forceful spray of water to dislodge the pests, or you can use insecticidal soaps or other appropriate insecticides labeled for use on your plant. You may have to prune some of the plant to compensate for any root loss.
Move the plants to a lighted location where the temperature is above 45 to 50 °F. Reduce the frequency of watering to coincide with the plants’ rest periods induced by the cooler temperatures and reduced light.
In late winter or early spring before growth begins, prune by removing old, crowded stems and shortening others. Even if mandevilla is pruned almost to the ground, it will bloom the same summer on the new shoots, which develop from the base of the plants.
Mandevilla ‘Alice du Pont’ is a woody, twining evergreen vine. It grows to a height of 20 feet but is much shorter when grown in a container. The leaves are dark green, glossy, oval and 3 to 8 inches long. Clusters of pure pink, flared, trumpet-shaped, 2- to 4- inch flowers appear among the leaves, spring through fall. Even very small plants in 4-inch pots will bloom. This cultivar grows well in hanging baskets. Pinch off tips of new stems to induce dense growth.
Mandevilla ‘Laxa’ or Chilean jasmine (although it is native to Argentina) is a climbing, woody, deciduous vine. It grows to 15 feet. Leaves are opposite, oblong or heart-shaped at the base. They are 2 to 6 inches long, thin and dark green with gray-green undersides. Clustered summer flowers are white, 2 inches across and trumpet-shaped with a powerful gardenia-like fragrance. Provide rich soil. If the plant becomes badly tangled, cut it to the ground in winter. It will bloom on the new growth. Roots are hardy to about 5 °F.
Mandevilla ‘Splendens’ is an evergreen similar to ‘Alice du Pont’, with the same bloom period. The leaves are narrow, pointed and 3 to 8 inches long. The trumpet-shaped flowers are 2 to 4 inches across, pale pink when they open, with rose-pink eyes. As the flowers age, their color deepens to rose. The stems of M. ‘Splendens’ reach 10 to 15 feet in length.
- ‘Red Riding Hood’ has deep red flowers.
- ‘Summer Snow’ has sparkling white 3- to 4- inch flowers against dark glossy foliage.
- ‘Yellow’ has wide, bright yellow flowers. They are lower growing and shrubbier than the species and superb in hanging baskets.
The most common pests are mealybugs, scales, whiteflies and red spider mites.
Document last updated on 2/21 by Joey Williamson.
If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at [email protected] or 1-888-656-9988.
Marjan Kluepfel, Former HGIC Horticulture Information Specialist, Clemson UniversityRobert F. Polomski, PhD, Associate Extension Specialist—Environmental Horticulture/Arboriculture, Clemson University
This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed.
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