What's eating my amaryllis?

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is most threatened by the narcissus bulb fly indoors and in storage, plus mealybugs on actively growing plants. Spider mites attack in hot dry conditions. Outdoors in warm climates, slugs and snails rasp newly emerging leaves. Inspect bulbs carefully before storage and at repotting.

White waxy fluff at the base of leaves and in bulb neck; foliage yellows and flower scapes may be stunted. Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swab; drench bulb neck with diluted neem oil; isolate the plant from others.

Soft, rotten patches inside the bulb; a single fat maggot found when the bulb is cut; no flower spike emerges. Inspect bulbs at purchase and before storage; discard infested bulbs; cover necks with fine insect mesh when planting outdoors.

Pale silvery streaks and stippling on strap leaves, worst in heated indoor air during winter forcing. Improve humidity around the plant; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, covering undersides of leaves; repeat weekly.