Lantana is a popular, durable flowering shrub known for its vibrant color and ability to attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. Despite its hardiness, this plant is susceptible to insect pests that can compromise its health and ornamental appeal. Recognizing infestation signs early is the first step toward effective management. Successful pest control relies on an integrated approach, favoring non-chemical treatments before considering targeted chemical solutions.
Identifying the Major Pest Threats to Lantana
The most damaging pests on lantana are tiny, sap-sucking insects. The lantana lace bug (Teleonemia scrupulosa) is the most common pest, distinguishable by its clear, lace-like wings. Lace bugs feed exclusively on the underside of foliage. This feeding causes the upper leaf surface to develop a fine, bleached appearance known as stippling, which can progress until the entire leaf turns white or yellow. Identification is confirmed by the presence of sticky, black droplets of excrement, or “frass,” clinging to the leaf undersides.
Whiteflies and spider mites are other frequent sap-suckers. Whiteflies are small, powdery white insects that swarm when the plant is disturbed. Their nymphs secrete honeydew, which becomes a breeding ground for sooty mold, blocking the leaf’s ability to photosynthesize. Spider mites, which are technically arachnids, cause fine, yellow or gray stippling on the leaves. This damage is often accompanied by thin, silken webbing spun across the leaf undersides during hot, dry weather.
Preventing Infestations Through Cultural Care
Creating an environment where lantana naturally resists infestation is the most effective pest management method. Proper watering is important; water-stressed plants are vulnerable to spider mites, while overwatered plants suffer root issues that compromise overall vigor. Allow the top one to two inches of soil to dry completely between waterings to encourage a strong root system. Always water at the plant’s base in the early morning so the foliage dries quickly.
Fertilization practices influence a lantana’s attractiveness to soft-bodied pests like whiteflies and aphids. High-nitrogen fertilizers should be avoided because they promote a flush of tender, lush new growth. This nitrogen-rich sap is highly desirable to sap-sucking insects, which then reproduce quickly. Instead, opt for a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied sparingly, or use organic options like compost, to encourage healthy, moderate growth that is less appealing to pests.
Air circulation helps control pest populations and reduces the humidity that favors fungal issues like sooty mold. Ensure lantana shrubs are spaced properly when planting to allow ample airflow between them. Regular, light pruning to thin dense interior growth further improves circulation. This prevents the sheltered, stagnant conditions whiteflies and lace bugs prefer for colonization.
Non-Chemical Solutions for Active Pests
The first line of defense against an active infestation is physical removal. A strong, targeted jet of water from a garden hose can dislodge pests like aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. The spray must be directed at the undersides of the leaves where pests congregate. This process may need repetition every few days to manage successive generations.
Horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps offer a low-impact solution that kills soft-bodied pests on contact by suffocating them or dissolving their protective outer layer. Neem oil, a popular botanical product, works both as a contact killer and as a repellent that disrupts the insect’s feeding and growth cycles. When using these products, it is essential to perform a spot test on a small leaf area. Lantana can be sensitive, displaying leaf burn or discoloration if the product is too concentrated or applied during high heat.
Application must be thorough, covering all surfaces, especially the lower leaves. Apply only in the early morning or evening when temperatures are below 90°F. Since these products kill only on contact and leave little lasting residue, repeated treatments every five to seven days are necessary to target newly hatched insects. Introducing beneficial insects is a proactive control measure, as predatory species like Green Lacewings, Ladybugs, and Minute Pirate Bugs naturally hunt and consume whiteflies, aphids, and lace bug nymphs.
When and How to Use Targeted Chemical Controls
Chemical intervention should only be considered when cultural and non-chemical methods have failed and the infestation threatens the plant’s survival. Because lantana attracts pollinators, the chosen product and application method must minimize risk to bees and butterflies. Contact sprays, such as those containing pyrethrins, are preferred over systemic treatments because they break down quickly and do not contaminate the nectar.
If a systemic product is necessary for severe pests like scale or lace bugs, understand its mechanism of action. Systemic insecticides, which include neonicotinoids, are absorbed by the plant and move throughout its tissues, making the sap toxic to feeding insects. This long-lasting effect means active ingredients can be expressed in the pollen and nectar, posing a serious risk to foraging pollinators.
To protect pollinators, apply systemic products as a soil drench or granular application only when the plant is not in bloom. This is typically in early spring or late fall, allowing time for the chemical to dissipate before the main flowering season. Always read the product label entirely for specific instructions regarding blooming plants, and choose the least toxic option available.