What's eating my begonia 'jurassic watermelon'?

Begonia rex-cultorum 'Jurassic Watermelon' is a showy indoor foliage plant most threatened by mealybugs sheltering in its textured leaves. Fungus gnats breed in moist soil. Powdery mildew (a fungal issue) is also common, but the primary animal pest is the mealybug — spotted early as white fluff in leaf crevices.

White waxy colonies on leaf undersides, in petiole joints, and on stems; leaves yellow and wilt; sticky honeydew present Dab with isopropyl alcohol; spray neem oil solution; check weekly for re-infestation; discard severely affected leaves

Larval root-feeding causes wilting and poor growth; adult gnats swarm around the pot; seedlings especially vulnerable Let the top inch of soil dry before re-watering; apply Bti drench; add sticky yellow traps to catch adults

Silver-streaked or bronzed leaf surface; tiny dark droppings; distorted, scarred new leaves and flower buds Remove and destroy infested leaves; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap; use blue sticky traps to monitor levels