What's eating my alocasia macrorrhizos variegata?

Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Variegata' is a striking large-leaved aroid kept as a houseplant or in tropical gardens. Its variegated sectors have less chlorophyll and are more sensitive to sap-sucking damage, making spider mite and thrips prevention especially important. Mealybugs and scale are also common. Act fast — damage on white leaf sectors is permanent.

Pale stippling on white and green sectors alike; webbing beneath in heavy infestations Raise humidity, rinse the large leaves with water, and spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7 days.

Silver or tan streaking especially noticeable on the white variegated patches; distorted new growth Isolate the plant, cut off severely affected leaves, and treat with spinosad spray every 5–7 days for three rounds.

Waxy white clusters in petiole joints and along the main veins; honeydew attracts sooty mold Dab with isopropyl alcohol, then spray with neem oil solution weekly for a month.

Brown dome-shaped shells on stems and leaf undersides; sticky residue and yellowing above Scrape off manually, then apply horticultural oil every 10–14 days until no live scale remains.