Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'jurassic bewitched'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluff at petiole bases, leaf undersides, and stem joints; plant loses vigour; sticky honeydew accumulates
Control: Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil spray; quarantine the plant; repeat treatment weekly for a month
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae consume fine roots; plants wilt or grow slowly; swarms of small dark flies near the soil surface
Control: Allow topsoil to dry between waterings; drench with Bti solution; use yellow sticky traps to reduce adult numbers
Thrips
Signs: Silvery scarring and stippling on ornamental leaf surfaces; buds deform; dark excrement spots under magnification
Control: Prune and bag heavily damaged leaves; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap spray; use blue sticky traps for monitoring
Keep begonia 'jurassic bewitched' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats rex begonia — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common begonia 'jurassic bewitched' problems & fixes
- Begonia 'Jurassic Bewitched' watering schedule
- Begonia 'Jurassic Bewitched' light requirements
- Full begonia 'jurassic bewitched' care guide
Begonia 'Jurassic Bewitched' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'jurassic bewitched'?
Begonia rex-cultorum 'Jurassic Bewitched' is an ornamental foliage houseplant. Mealybugs are the most common pest, exploiting the textured, hairy leaves. Fungus gnats breed in damp potting mix. Thrips can scar the decorative surface. Good hygiene — removing dead leaves and letting soil dry slightly — prevents most outbreaks.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia 'jurassic bewitched'?
White fluff at petiole bases, leaf undersides, and stem joints; plant loses vigour; sticky honeydew accumulates Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil spray; quarantine the plant; repeat treatment weekly for a month
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on begonia 'jurassic bewitched'?
Larvae consume fine roots; plants wilt or grow slowly; swarms of small dark flies near the soil surface Allow topsoil to dry between waterings; drench with Bti solution; use yellow sticky traps to reduce adult numbers
How do I get rid of thrips on begonia 'jurassic bewitched'?
Silvery scarring and stippling on ornamental leaf surfaces; buds deform; dark excrement spots under magnification Prune and bag heavily damaged leaves; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap spray; use blue sticky traps for monitoring