Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'helen teupel'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White mealy residue tucked in leaf spirals and at rhizome joints; honeydew attracts mold.
Control: Use fine-tipped alcohol swabs to reach spiral crevices; follow with neem oil spray weekly.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale speckling dulls the dark purple-red coloring; webbing visible on leaf undersides.
Control: Raise indoor humidity; apply insecticidal soap spray to leaf undersides every 5–7 days.
Thrips
Signs: Silvery-tan scars and distortion on unrolling new leaves.
Control: Spray spinosad or insecticidal soap; use blue sticky traps and remove heavily scarred leaves.
Keep begonia 'helen teupel' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia 'Helen Teupel' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'helen teupel'?
Begonia rex 'Helen Teupel', an indoor begonia with deep reddish-purple spiraling leaves, is most commonly afflicted by mealybugs lodged in the leaf spirals and rhizome base. Spider mites dull the dark leaf coloring in dry air. Thrips scar new growth. The intricate leaf form creates prime pest hiding spots — inspect under a magnifier.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia 'helen teupel'?
White mealy residue tucked in leaf spirals and at rhizome joints; honeydew attracts mold. Use fine-tipped alcohol swabs to reach spiral crevices; follow with neem oil spray weekly.
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia 'helen teupel'?
Pale speckling dulls the dark purple-red coloring; webbing visible on leaf undersides. Raise indoor humidity; apply insecticidal soap spray to leaf undersides every 5–7 days.
How do I get rid of thrips on begonia 'helen teupel'?
Silvery-tan scars and distortion on unrolling new leaves. Spray spinosad or insecticidal soap; use blue sticky traps and remove heavily scarred leaves.