What's eating my begonia foliosa?

Begonia foliosa is a compact houseplant begonia whose delicate fern-like foliage attracts spider mites in dry indoor air, mealybugs in stem axils, and fungus gnats around moist compost. Its small, densely-packed leaves make early detection harder. Spider mites are the most damaging pest, thriving in low-humidity indoor conditions.

Fine stippling and bronzing on tiny leaves; fine silk webbing between stems; leaves drop prematurely in severe infestations Raise humidity with regular misting or a pebble tray; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every three days for two weeks; introduce Phytoseiulus persimilis predatory mites

White cottony masses in leaf axils and along stems; sticky honeydew and stunted growth Dab individual colonies with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap; isolate the plant to prevent spread

Tiny flies around the soil surface; larvae in compost eat fine roots, causing wilting in young or small plants Allow compost surface to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Steinernema feltiae nematodes to the growing medium