What's eating my aerangis biloba?

Aerangis biloba, a West African miniature orchid with bilobed leaf tips, is most threatened by mealybugs, which exploit its compact growth habit. Spider mites attack in dry conditions, and scale insects can colonise stems. Because this orchid is small, pest pressure escalates quickly — inspect roots and leaf axils at every watering.

White woolly deposits in leaf axils, on roots, and under leaves; reduced vigour and sticky residue Apply isopropyl alcohol with a fine brush to each colony; treat roots with a neem soil drench and repeat weekly

Pale stippling across leaf surfaces; webbing in leaf axils in low-humidity environments Raise relative humidity above 60%, rinse foliage with tepid water, and spray insecticidal soap every 5–7 days

Small tan or brown bumps on stems and leaves that resist wiping; slow yellowing and dieback Remove manually with a soft toothbrush dipped in soapy water, then treat with horticultural oil spray