What's eating my anthurium watermaliense?

Anthurium watermaliense is an uncommon tropical aroid kept as a houseplant, where mealybugs and spider mites are the primary threats. Low humidity and overcrowded conditions invite both pests quickly. Regular inspection of velvety leaf undersides and stem joints is the first line of defense.

Fluffy white wax deposits at stem joints and leaf bases; sticky honeydew attracts sooty mould and weakens the plant Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs; apply neem oil spray to all surfaces, repeating every 10 days for a month

Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides; leaves dull and drop in severe cases Increase ambient humidity above 60%, shower the plant to dislodge mites, then apply insecticidal soap or neem oil on a weekly schedule

Larvae chew fine roots in soggy soil, causing wilting and yellowing despite adequate watering Allow the top 2–3 cm of potting mix to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults and a BTi (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) soil drench for larvae