Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Angel Trumpet problems, 1 by carmul

carmul wrote:
My daughter-in-law gave me an Angel Trumpet tree approximately 3 feet tall. I think it is the "Butterfly". We live in the central valley of California, zone 8 or 9, depending on whom you talk to or what you are wanting to plant :) The plant is in a 16" terra cotta pot on an open patio with north and east exposure, morning sun, afternoon shade, watered twice daily by emitter, 12 minutes in AM and 8 minutes in PM, fertilizing once a week. It was growing rapidly and looked very healthy until we took a 3 week vacation.
When we returned it had several problems: 1) it had been invaded by the little green worms that seem to be the "gift" of the plentiful white butterflies. I managed to get rid of the worms with Safer Caterpillar Killer. 2) white flies had also arrived but I managed to discourage them by mildly shaking leaves. 3) tips of some leaves were turning black and curling inward like there was a virus problem. This has resolved itself and disappeared, hopefully to not return. 4) Tiny spots were all over some leaves that appear to be the result of something very tiny eating on the leaf, causing the leaves to yellow or dry at the tip and drop off. This #4 problem is the one I can't resolve.
I make sure the plant never dries out and I am now using Bayer's systemic rose food on a weekly basis. I understand these plants also like somewhat acidic soil so our morning coffee grounds are added to the soil.
This morning I picked off what I thought was a tiny piece of dried immature leaf but upon further inspection it was a tiny, tiny needle-nosed beetle like bug about 1/8" long. The pointed proboscis and head seemed to be bluish while the body was beige. I wanted to get it under a magnifying glass but it moved very quickly and I squished it trying to hold on.
I am attaching pictures of the leaves. Any help anyone could provide will be appreciated.