What's eating my begonia 'illumination salmon'?

This trailing tuberous begonia shares the vine weevil vulnerability of all Begonia × tuberhybrida types — grubs can destroy the tuber before wilting is noticed. Aphids target soft shoot tips, thrips scar petals, and slugs attack outdoor plants at ground level. Basket-grown plants are slightly less slug-exposed.

Notched leaf margins from adult beetles; grubs consume the tuber causing irreversible collapse. Apply nematodes to hanging-basket compost in late summer; inspect tuber when overwintering and remove grubs.

Clusters on new growth and flower buds, producing honeydew that attracts sooty mold. Knock off with a water jet; follow with insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 5–7 days.

Silver-white streaks and stippling on petals; flowers look damaged before fully opening. Remove worst-affected flowers; use spinosad spray or predatory mites in greenhouse settings.