Brisa Del Mar Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 Something is chewing the leaves of my hibiscus. It looks like big bites have been taken off the edges of the leaves. I have looked extensively and can't find any evidence of the culprit. There are no droppings and I even checked at night. I've sprayed with raid but I think it just made it eat more. Anyone have any suggestions as to what it is or what I should do to make it stop. it's getting serious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyg Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 Could be grasshoppers. They take big chunks from leaves. Try spraying with diazinon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedros Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 Before I spay with anything I would examine the leaves carefully a number times-day and night to look for the culprit. It could be leaf cutting ants, caterpillars, or? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artsnob Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 It could be the Bear caterpillar, don't touch it, it love Hibiscus rosses and citrus.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmh Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 maybe caterpillar, if they were ants they would eat the while leaf. Mine are eaten by caterpillars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo1 Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 Probably leaf cutter ants. They love hibiscus. Tie a plastic sack around the base of the plant and if the damage is no more you will know that it's ants. They won't pass the plastic on their way to the tasty leaves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjay Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 Mine are being eaten as well and it's leaf cutter ants. I've had these mature plants for nearly 10 years and this is the first time they've been attacked. Horrid little monsters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dichosalocura Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 Hey, I wouldn´t think it to be the bear caterpillar, as far as I know they have only been spotted in Primavera Park outside Guadalajara so far, but my guess is that it would be those black woolly caterpillars that come out this time of year in late fall early winter. It is the only caterpillar that I have spotted around my house this time of year. I first would have guessed the leave cutter ants, the ones on my property only seem to come out at night and really strip my hibiscus down, but I think you already ruled that out. But definitely keep checking at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmh Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 the ants strip mine out as well. The partially eaten leaves are from the caterpillars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 It has to be the local restaurants - they often serve an aqua fresca with "Jamaica" flavor. You guessed it, "Jamaica" is Hibiscus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmh Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 I did not have to guess I had one of those jamaicas in my garden. The flowers are of a beautiful red but the ants got that one eventually. By the way Janaica is a very popular drink..in the Middle East and also in West Africa.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedros Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 The jamaica that is made into a drink is quite different than the hibiscus you have in the gardens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floradude Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 I am betting leaf cutter ants. They love hibiscus (and almost everything else). If the bite is a semi circle it is ants. If there are leaves on the ground below the bush it is ants. Go out after dark with a flashlight and you can see them. Look for moving pieces of green leaves or flowers. They always travel in a column...like an army. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmh Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 yes it is different and does not do well here, or at least in my garden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgates Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 We just cut ours way back. Had noticed some black things on some of the limbs, like some kind of pod or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxx Posted December 19, 2015 Report Share Posted December 19, 2015 Spray with 1 guart water mixed with 1 tea alcohol and 1 tea dish detergent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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