Are whiteflies harmful?

Yes, they suck sap from the leaves, which causes the plant to lose vigor and can lead to yellowing.

Neem oil can be effective against whiteflies, but apply it in the evening to avoid burning the leaves in the sun.

What are these bugs on my fuchsia? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the undersides of leaves for tiny white insects.
Look for distorted or swollen growth at the tips.
Check for sticky residue on the leaves.

Likely causes

Whitefly
Most likely
How to tell: Tiny white insects fly up when you shake the plant and cluster on leaf undersides.
What to do: Spray the plant with insecticidal soap every 5 to 7 days. Ensure you coat the undersides of the leaves thoroughly.
Fuchsia Gall Mite
Possible
How to tell: New growth appears swollen, distorted, or reddish and hairy.
What to do: Prune away all affected stems immediately and dispose of them in the trash. Clean your shears with alcohol to prevent spreading the mites.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your fuchsia

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Gall mite is very difficult to treat and often requires removing large parts of the plant. If the infestation is severe, it is best to discard the plant to save others.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plant healthy with good air circulation and inspect it weekly for early signs of pests.

Fuchsia: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your fuchsia and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Are whiteflies harmful?: Yes, they suck sap from the leaves, which causes the plant to lose vigor and can lead to yellowing.
Can I use neem oil?: Neem oil can be effective against whiteflies, but apply it in the evening to avoid burning the leaves in the sun.

What are these bugs on my fuchsia?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your fuchsia?

Likely causes

Whitefly

Fuchsia Gall Mite

Find out what's wrong with your fuchsia

When to worry

Stopping it coming back

Fuchsia: pests? Check yours with a photo

Questions people ask

Guides to these causes

More problems with Fuchsia