Native Plants
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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
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Friday - November 08, 2013
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pests, Shrubs
Title: Something damages leaves on Tecoma stans from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Help! Something is chomping my Esperanzas. I thought it was deer but they don't seem to be eating other yellow bells in my neighborhood. I think it's an insect. Something is completely stripping the branches, leaves and blooms. Some of the branches seem to be turning black on the tips. I just sprayed with some mild soapy water hoping that would help. Thanks!ANSWER:
According to this article from Butterflies and Moths of North America, Tecoma stans (Yellow bells) is a larval host for Paratreae plebeja, Plebeian Sphinx Moth. From that article:
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