Pest identification
What's eating my alocasia dragon scale?
Spider mites
Signs: Bronze stippling and dulling of the deep-green scale pattern; webbing hidden in leaf ribs; rapid colony growth
Control: Maintain humidity above 65%, wipe undersides weekly, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days
Thrips
Signs: Silvery-bronze scars on the ridged leaf surface; distorted or aborted emerging leaves
Control: Quarantine the plant; remove damaged foliage; apply spinosad spray every 5 days for at least three treatments
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony deposits at petiole bases or where leaves join the stem; sticky honeydew
Control: Dab with alcohol-soaked swabs; follow with neem oil foliar spray and soil drench; check weekly
Keep alocasia dragon scale pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Alocasia Dragon Scale pests — FAQ
What is eating my alocasia dragon scale?
Alocasia Dragon Scale is especially vulnerable to spider mites, which colonize the heavily textured leaf undersides where webbing is camouflaged by the ribbing. Thrips permanently scar the glossy dark-green scale pattern. Mealybugs gather at petiole joints. Low humidity is the trigger for all three pests.
How do I get rid of spider mites on alocasia dragon scale?
Bronze stippling and dulling of the deep-green scale pattern; webbing hidden in leaf ribs; rapid colony growth Maintain humidity above 65%, wipe undersides weekly, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of thrips on alocasia dragon scale?
Silvery-bronze scars on the ridged leaf surface; distorted or aborted emerging leaves Quarantine the plant; remove damaged foliage; apply spinosad spray every 5 days for at least three treatments
How do I get rid of mealybugs on alocasia dragon scale?
White cottony deposits at petiole bases or where leaves join the stem; sticky honeydew Dab with alcohol-soaked swabs; follow with neem oil foliar spray and soil drench; check weekly