Bourganvilea being eaten alive - ID bug and care advice?

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venicegreens Venice, CA Dec 16, 2014

Most leaves have been munched! I just took over the care of this plant and any bug ID and protection advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Dec 17, 2014

Those big bites look like a big bug. Many plant eating bugs climb up the plant at night, and hide out in the soil, or in shaded places under leaves or branches of the plant. If it is one of these pests you can go out in the evening or very early morning with a flashlight, see if you can find them. Also, lay out some loosely rolled newspaper on the ground. The pest may hide in there. Shake it into a white bucket and see what you have trapped.
Another, similar pest would be a type of caterpillar. Does a lot of damage, then turns into a butterfly or moth, so the damage stops, and you cannot find the perpetrator.

Other possibilities are something like Leaf Cutter Bees. They almost always cut out a perfect (well, nearly perfect) circle. When a lot of bees are working on a plant the circles can overlap. They carry off the cut out pieces, so you might see them working the plant during the day, but not find them sleeping.

What to do about these pests: If it is any of the type that hide in the ground there are poisoned baits, sort of like snail bait, that target a wide range of pests.

Post #9990544
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venicegreens Venice, CA Dec 17, 2014

Thank you so much for the tips. Other plants seem to be getting munched too - I am going to go on the hunt, as suggested.

Post #9990614
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OCCAROL Santa Ana, CA(Zone 10b) Dec 17, 2014

Mine is being eaten in the same way. Never happened before last winter. While examining it a couple of days ago, I discovered a tiny inch worm munching away. Never any problems in warm weather...just in winter.

Post #9990712
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venicegreens Venice, CA Dec 17, 2014

Interesting - I am not sure when these ones started to be eaten. All I know is that these plants were only bedded about 6 weeks ago and when I took over their care last week, were already in bad shape!

I am going to have a good look and set some traps - See if I can come up with anything!

Post #9990833
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