Pest identification
What's eating my begonia reniformis?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy clusters at rhizome crowns, leaf bases, and stems; reduced vigour and sticky deposits
Control: Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap and repeat weekly for a month
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling on the round leaves; light webbing visible when infestations are heavy
Control: Increase humidity, rinse foliage, and spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap on a weekly schedule
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adults hover around moist soil; larvae chew fine roots, causing wilting and poor uptake
Control: Allow top 1–2 inches of soil to dry between waterings; drench with Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to kill larvae
Keep begonia reniformis pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia reniformis pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia reniformis?
Begonia reniformis, a rhizomatous species with kidney-shaped leaves, is most threatened by mealybugs, which favour the compact leaf bases where rhizomes meet soil. Spider mites and fungus gnats are secondary indoor risks. Keep humidity moderate and avoid waterlogged soil to limit gnat populations.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia reniformis?
White waxy clusters at rhizome crowns, leaf bases, and stems; reduced vigour and sticky deposits Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap and repeat weekly for a month
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia reniformis?
Fine pale stippling on the round leaves; light webbing visible when infestations are heavy Increase humidity, rinse foliage, and spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap on a weekly schedule
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on begonia reniformis?
Adults hover around moist soil; larvae chew fine roots, causing wilting and poor uptake Allow top 1–2 inches of soil to dry between waterings; drench with Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to kill larvae