Genatac, First, Isolate your Crown of Thorn, ASAP. Keep it away from all other plants. I spray with soap and water every so often; it keeps mites at bay, but if you have WF infestation, soap and water isn't going to work. Though it doesn't hurt doing spraying to keep other insects away. You said you used Yellow Sticky Traps? What size are the traps? The Yellow Traps should be new, the glue fresh. If you used the small traps, (4x6,) since your Crown of Thorns is large, perhaps 2, 3 or possible 4 traps are needed. You asked if anyone had a similar experience..Yes, I did. My plants are set outdoors every summer. Autumn came, plants were brought back in. While misting, I noticed little white flying insects on a Hibiscus, then another plant and another..BTW, I have over 300 indoor plants, so can you imagine finding these creatures on every single plant? Plants were sprayed with soap/water and a few other ingredients. I don't use chemicals) but nothing helped. What's ironic, I got a catalog in the mail from Gardens Alive a few days before finding the WF. While browsing pages, I discovered, for the first time, Yellow STicky Traps. I was so desparate, I ordered several packs. After they arrived I attached to plants, section by section. 36 traps. Within a week every WF died. The traps were loaded! Each traps filled from end to end. To this day I vouch for Yellow Sticky Traps. BTW, I found the host plant which caused the infestation. An outdoor, hardy Hydrangea. If it was my Crown this is what I'd do. First, either take outdoors or hose/shower indoors, spraying all foliage/stems. Tilt the Crown of Thorns so soil doesn't get wet. Let air dry. In a spray bottle I'd mix soap, Fish Emulsion, (1 capful to a 16 oz bottle of water) garlic and citrus rind. The night before spraying I'd set a clove of garlic in water. In place of citrus rind, lemon juice would suffice. Shake well. Spray thoroughly, all parts of plant, leaves and stems..BTW, I'd spray outside. I'd then add 3-4 Yellow STicky Traps on plant. Traps should be yellow, and glue fresh. If you have time, you can make your own traps..Cut out yellow cardboard or paint yellow. Using Tanglefoot (glue) paste on cardboard strips. Tanglefoot is very strong, probably stronger than Superglue. But it's easier buying premade Traps. lol. It's important glue is fresh, that traps werent' lying around and glue dried. After my infestation I purchased more traps in case WF returned. They didn't, but over time the glue dried up, even though traps were sealed. So, I hope your purchased fresh traps. Are the traps still on your Crown? If so, do you see WF? Since your Crown is/was infested, traps should be filled. If traps are loaded, replace with new Yellow Traps. Some say these traps are reusable, but in order to reuse you'd need glue. Good luck, keep us posted..Toni

It can be difficult to diagnose leaf spot diseases because the symptoms from sevedal can resemble each other. I could only guess that these lesions might be a bacterial leaf spot disease. Doesn't look environnental to me, as teen suggested.

You can try spraying the plants with 1 tablespoon garlic juice + 1/4 teaspoon mild dish soap mixed into 1 quart water. That might make the flavor unpalatable. Or mix 1 teaspoon original pine sol into 2 cups water and dribble around each plant. The smell is apparently a deterrent. This is the 2nd year I've been experimenting with the PS around outdoor plants, and so far none of the plants are bothered by having the stinky PS poured around their roots. Red pepper spray is supposed to work against many herbivores. You can buy it ready-made or make your own solution by soaking overnight a couple jalapenos in a quart of water, strain, add 1/4 t dish soap, and spray. I've noted that some plants do NOT like red pepper in either homemade or commercial form.

Here I am ...lol Hi Andrew: I most defiantly would make a direct question to "Rhizzo" or "Jean" since they may not even be aware of this problem you are having. I would also look up the Pest and Disease forum since that is where they hang out, and ask the same question there. I can guarantee that you will be helped as fast as lightning since they are just two of many that are always willing to help. They are usually spot on too. I wish I could help, but I have never seen this type pest before and you want to make sure you treat it with the right pesticide if they are pest's. Do they leave a sappy or sticky residue on the leaves anywhere? When did you first notice them? What affect are they having on the leaves? At what temps do you grow them? What is the coolest you can grow them at? Have you tried any sprays yet? Are the trees small enough to wipe these things off with a cloth and water? Sorry for so many questions, but I like a lot of detail:-) Let us know, ok. Hope you are doing good. We can keep these thread going if you wish too. It seems everyone take a break about this time of year, but I find this forum very fulfilling when winter slows me down. Mike:-)