---
title: "Hi, would anyone know what is happening to my vine? Started with a…"
description: "Hi, would anyone know what is happening to my vine? Started with a black crumbs, then chewed up leaves, now leaves are falling. Thank you"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/WzKfdCn35KP06lgbHmYsUT"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Jazz"
published: "2026-10-15T17:37:05.158319Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/JBQ-W-SzN4ROZm0hQBTjPQKh2odC6FTSd3eomzcB0Rg/6a7IQ1ydTCyRFIxX-JYIrQ.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# Hi, would anyone know what is happening to my vine? Started with a…

_Posted by Jazz on 2026-10-15_

Hi, would anyone know what is happening to my vine? Started with a black crumbs, then chewed up leaves, now leaves are falling. Thank you

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/JBQ-W-SzN4ROZm0hQBTjPQKh2odC6FTSd3eomzcB0Rg/6a7IQ1ydTCyRFIxX-JYIrQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/JBQ-W-SzN4ROZm0hQBTjPQKh2odC6FTSd3eomzcB0Rg/tWPCqModTA2Eir76jCZOFA.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### Karzdan commented on 2026-10-15

Looks like caterpillars are chewing the leaves. What plant is it?

#### Jazz replied on 2026-10-16

Bougainvillea about two years old, planted in the ground.

### Jazz commented on 2026-10-15

Yes, I think you are right it’s a Bougainvillea. It was recommended to use Bt every five days. at night.

### Waspinator commented on 2026-10-16

Definitely a caterpillar, most likely bougainvillea looper. Mature bougainvilleas are strong enough to survive despite the damage, but young ones will need extra help. The pesticides that are most effective use BT thurcide or spinosad, but be aware that both of those are also toxic to bees and beneficial predator insects. If you want to manage them with natural predation, you can get mantises from an insect farm or nursery, or you can try to attract wrens, catbirds, and warblers. If you plant flowers in the Apiaceae (carrot and dill) family, you can attract beneficial wasps. The black crumbs are caterpillar poop.

### Jazz commented on 2026-10-16

Thank you! Great information. 👍🏻

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