What's eating my dionaea muscipula 'b52'?

Dionaea muscipula 'B52' is a large-trap Venus flytrap cultivar grown indoors or in a sunny outdoor spot. Aphids are the most common pest, colonising the crown and non-trap stem tissue. Fungus gnats damage roots in soggy peat, and spider mites appear when humidity is low.

Colonies at the base of traps and on petioles; stunted and twisted growth, particularly visible on the broad petioles of this cultivar. Submerge the pot in distilled or rainwater for 24–48 hours to dislodge aphids; repeat every 7 days. Very dilute insecticidal soap can be used on petioles if submersion is not practical.

Larvae destroy fine roots in the peat/perlite substrate; plant loses vigour and traps become small and sluggish. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) as a soil drench. Use yellow sticky traps to monitor adults. Avoid overwatering — keep trays no more than 1–2 cm deep.

Pale stippling on petioles and trap edges; fine webbing in dry conditions; traps may fail to close properly when severely affected. Raise humidity around the plant. Rinse with water; apply dilute insecticidal soap. Avoid harsh miticides as flytraps are chemically sensitive.