Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'duartei'?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits along rhizomes and in leaf axils; honeydew causes sooty mold.
Control: Remove manually with alcohol swabs; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling across leaves and webbing on undersides, especially in dry winter air.
Control: Increase humidity, rinse foliage, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days.
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown shell-like bumps fixed to stems; leaf yellowing and sticky honeydew.
Control: Scrape off adults with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to kill crawlers.
Keep begonia 'duartei' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia 'Duartei' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'duartei'?
Begonia rex 'Duartei', an ornamental indoor begonia, is most prone to mealybugs sheltering in rhizome crevices and between leaf veins. Spider mites attack when indoor humidity drops in winter. Scale insects occasionally colonize older stems. Its moderate leaf texture makes inspection straightforward — check every 7–10 days and isolate new plants.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia 'duartei'?
Cottony white deposits along rhizomes and in leaf axils; honeydew causes sooty mold. Remove manually with alcohol swabs; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly.
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia 'duartei'?
Fine pale stippling across leaves and webbing on undersides, especially in dry winter air. Increase humidity, rinse foliage, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days.
How do I get rid of scale insects on begonia 'duartei'?
Small brown shell-like bumps fixed to stems; leaf yellowing and sticky honeydew. Scrape off adults with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to kill crawlers.