What's eating my begonia 'benitoma'?

Begonia 'Benitoma' (rex-cultorum) is most frequently attacked by spider mites, which exploit the dry indoor air that rex begonias often endure. Mealybugs and thrips are the next most likely culprits. The ornate silver-banded foliage shows spider mite stippling clearly — inspect leaf undersides at every watering.

Dense pale stippling across leaf surface; webbing underneath; foliage turns dull and eventually drops Shower plant, raise humidity above 50%, and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days until clear

Fluffy white deposits in leaf axils and along veins; sticky honeydew and slow new growth Swab colonies with rubbing alcohol; treat with neem oil spray weekly for 3–4 weeks to catch crawlers

Silver streaking or flecking on ornamental foliage; distorted leaf edges and scarred new growth Prune affected growth, spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad, and isolate the plant for at least 2 weeks