What's eating my annual rainbow plant?

Annual Rainbow Plant (Byblis liniflora) is a sticky-leaved annual carnivore that traps small flying insects itself, but is vulnerable to damping-off fungus attacking seedlings — the most critical threat. Aphids and mealybugs may infest established plants; fungus gnats avoid the sticky foliage but breed in the damp substrate below.

Seedlings collapse at soil level, stems pinch and blacken; entire seedling trays can be lost within days in humid, stagnant conditions Sow in sterile media with excellent drainage; apply a copper-based or thiram fungicide drench at germination; ensure good airflow with a fan; avoid misting overhead

Colonies cluster on flower stalks and stem tips above the sticky leaf zone, causing distorted buds and honeydew accumulation Dab with isopropyl alcohol swab; rinse flower stalks with water; insecticidal soap spray applied carefully to avoid runoff onto the sticky leaves

Waxy white clusters at stem junctions and base where sticky glands are absent; sap-feeding weakens annual plants quickly given their short lifespan Swab visible colonies with isopropyl alcohol immediately; apply systemic imidacloprid drench to soil if infestation spreads to roots