Pest identification
What's eating my anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing and stippled, dull foliage on leaves and spathes; leaves may bronze and fall in severe cases.
Control: Increase humidity above 60%; spray leaves thoroughly with water or insecticidal soap; repeat neem oil treatment weekly for 3–4 weeks.
Mealybugs
Signs: White flocculent masses at stem nodes and under petioles; leaves sticky from honeydew and may develop sooty mold.
Control: Dab colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow with a full plant spray of neem oil or insecticidal soap; treat weekly.
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown shells on stems; slow decline in leaf colour and plant energy; sometimes confused for bark texture.
Control: Scrape off manually with a toothbrush; apply horticultural oil spray; check stems thoroughly and retreat every 2 weeks.
Keep anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats anthurium — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' problems & fixes
- Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' watering schedule
- Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' light requirements
- Full anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' care guide
Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' pests — FAQ
What is eating my anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'?
Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' is a tropical indoor anthurium susceptible to the same sap-sucking pests as other andraeanum cultivars. Spider mites are the dominant threat in dry interiors. Keeping humidity high and wiping leaves monthly prevents the dusty, dry conditions mites need to establish and multiply rapidly.
How do I get rid of spider mites on anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'?
Fine webbing and stippled, dull foliage on leaves and spathes; leaves may bronze and fall in severe cases. Increase humidity above 60%; spray leaves thoroughly with water or insecticidal soap; repeat neem oil treatment weekly for 3–4 weeks.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'?
White flocculent masses at stem nodes and under petioles; leaves sticky from honeydew and may develop sooty mold. Dab colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow with a full plant spray of neem oil or insecticidal soap; treat weekly.
How do I get rid of scale insects on anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'?
Small brown shells on stems; slow decline in leaf colour and plant energy; sometimes confused for bark texture. Scrape off manually with a toothbrush; apply horticultural oil spray; check stems thoroughly and retreat every 2 weeks.