What's eating my begonia mazae?

Begonia mazae is a trailing rhizomatous houseplant. Its dense, hairy foliage provides cover for mealybugs in stem crevices, while spider mites colonise undersides of small leaves in warm, dry rooms. Fungus gnats breed in moist rhizome mix. Mealybugs are the chief ongoing threat due to the plant's complex branching structure.

Fluffy white wax in branch forks and along rhizomes; leaf yellowing; sticky honeydew on pot and shelf below Dab colonies with alcohol swabs; apply insecticidal soap spray to all surfaces including rhizomes; repeat weekly for a month; isolate from other plants

Pale, stippled foliage and webbing on undersides of small leaves; accelerates leaf drop in dry heated rooms Increase ambient humidity; mist undersides of leaves regularly; apply neem oil or miticide; introduce Phytoseiulus persimilis if infestation is established

Adults flying around soil; larvae attack fine roots in overly moist rhizome-mix Use a well-draining mix and allow the surface to dry; apply Steinernema feltiae nematode drench; place yellow sticky cards near the pot