Pest identification
What's eating my alocasia black velvet?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling across the dark velvet surface; webbing on undersides; leaves dull and may yellow
Control: Shower the plant to dislodge mites, raise humidity, and spray with neem oil or miticide weekly
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses at the base of leaf petioles and inside new growth
Control: Remove manually with an alcohol swab; treat the whole plant with insecticidal soap spray
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or soft brown bumps on stems; reduced vigour and sticky residue
Control: Scrape off with a toothbrush dipped in soapy water; follow with horticultural oil treatment
Keep alocasia black velvet pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Alocasia Black Velvet pests — FAQ
What is eating my alocasia black velvet?
Alocasia Black Velvet's velvety leaves and tropical origins make spider mites its number-one indoor pest. Mealybugs cluster in the tight leaf sheaths, and scale insects attach to stems and leaf undersides. The dark foliage can disguise pale stippling, so check carefully in good light.
How do I get rid of spider mites on alocasia black velvet?
Pale stippling across the dark velvet surface; webbing on undersides; leaves dull and may yellow Shower the plant to dislodge mites, raise humidity, and spray with neem oil or miticide weekly
How do I get rid of mealybugs on alocasia black velvet?
White cottony masses at the base of leaf petioles and inside new growth Remove manually with an alcohol swab; treat the whole plant with insecticidal soap spray
How do I get rid of scale insects on alocasia black velvet?
Hard or soft brown bumps on stems; reduced vigour and sticky residue Scrape off with a toothbrush dipped in soapy water; follow with horticultural oil treatment