What's eating my anthurium reflexinervium?

Anthurium reflexinervium is a collector's velvety-leaved tropical grown indoors. Spider mites are the primary threat, especially in centrally heated rooms with low humidity. Mealybugs colonise the petiole bases, and fungus gnats attack roots if the growing medium stays waterlogged. The velvety leaf texture can make mite webbing harder to spot early.

Pale stippling and fine webbing on velvety leaf surfaces; leaves may yellow and drop in severe cases. Raise humidity above 60%; rinse foliage gently; apply diluted neem oil or a miticide spray weekly.

White powdery wax masses at petiole bases and new growth; stunted leaves and sticky residue. Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs; spray insecticidal soap over all plant surfaces every week.

Adults are a nuisance; larvae eat fine roots causing wilting, yellowing, and poor growth. Allow the top inch of substrate to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench.