Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'lucerna'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters at stem nodes and leaf axils; slow growth and leaf yellowing
Control: Dab with alcohol-soaked cotton bud; spray entire plant with neem oil; repeat weekly for a month
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling across the upper leaf; webbing on undersides in dry rooms
Control: Rinse canes with water; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; increase ambient humidity
Thrips
Signs: Silver-streaked or scarred leaf surfaces; distorted new growth; tiny dark frass specks
Control: Remove badly affected leaves; spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days; use blue sticky traps
Keep begonia 'lucerna' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia 'Lucerna' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'lucerna'?
Begonia 'Lucerna', a vigorous angel-wing cane begonia, attracts mealybugs and spider mites indoors. Its tall cane stems provide sheltered joints where mealybugs thrive. Thrips can rasp the large silvery-dotted leaves. Inspect nodes and leaf undersides whenever you water, and mist nearby air — not leaves — to hold humidity.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia 'lucerna'?
White cottony clusters at stem nodes and leaf axils; slow growth and leaf yellowing Dab with alcohol-soaked cotton bud; spray entire plant with neem oil; repeat weekly for a month
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia 'lucerna'?
Fine pale stippling across the upper leaf; webbing on undersides in dry rooms Rinse canes with water; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; increase ambient humidity
How do I get rid of thrips on begonia 'lucerna'?
Silver-streaked or scarred leaf surfaces; distorted new growth; tiny dark frass specks Remove badly affected leaves; spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days; use blue sticky traps