What's eating my begonia 'dragon wing red'?

Begonia 'Dragon Wing Red' is grown indoors and outdoors (in containers and beds). Indoors, mealybugs and spider mites are the main threats. Outdoors, aphids, vine weevil, and slugs join the list, targeting soft leaves and roots. Thrips occasionally scar flowers. The large wing-shaped leaves make pest spotting easier — check undersides at every watering.

White woolly deposits at stem joints and leaf axils; sticky honeydew; wilting and poor growth Isolate the plant; dab colonies with alcohol swabs; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly for 3 weeks

Soft green or black insects on new shoots and flower buds; curled leaves; sticky residue Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; for outdoor plants, encourage ladybirds and lacewings

Larvae eat roots and lower stem, causing sudden wilting; adults notch leaf margins overnight Apply Steinernema kraussei nematodes to pots in early autumn; check soil when repotting; use sticky barriers on pot rims

Irregular holes in large leaves, especially on outdoor or patio plants; slime trails visible at night Use iron phosphate pellets or copper tape around containers; hand-pick at night; avoid overwatering nearby soil