What's eating my anthurium amnicola?

Anthurium amnicola, the tulip anthurium, is a popular flowering tropical houseplant. Spider mites are the most common pest, particularly in dry indoor conditions. Mealybugs frequently attack the bases of its spathes and petioles. Thrips can damage the delicate flowers and new growth. Fungus gnats breed when the growing medium stays too wet.

Tiny pale flecks across leaves; loss of glossy appearance; webbing at growing tips in dry air Raise humidity, rinse foliage regularly, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days

Cottony masses at spathe bases and leaf axils; sticky honeydew; reduced flower production Spot-treat with alcohol swabs, apply neem oil; ensure all leaf joints are treated and re-check weekly

Scarred, streaked spathes and flower damage; silver streaks on young leaves; black frass spots Apply spinosad or insecticidal soap targeting flowers and new growth; use blue sticky traps; repeat weekly

Root damage in overly moist media; yellowing lower leaves; adult gnats flying around soil Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings, apply Bti drench, use yellow sticky traps