While making space in the sunroom I noticed that one of my two Tecoma stans was defoliated and looking decidedly dead. I tried removing the pot and realized that the entire root system was, well, gone.

At the bottom of the pot were two little worms and a GRUB !

So here's a warning to people like me who use plunge beds in the summer-- check the roots thoroughly before you bring plants inside! If you're reluctant to remove all the soil from young seedlings you can drench the soil with a pyrethrin solution (a fairly benign pesticide made from chrysanthemums).

Thankfully the other Tecoma stans (Yellowbells) is doing well.