What's eating my begonia × semperflorens-cultorum 'dragon wing red'?

Begonia 'Dragon Wing Red' is a vigorous outdoor and container plant most troubled by slugs and snails, which tear holes in its large, glossy leaves at night. Vine weevil grubs attack container roots. Aphids and thrips cause foliage spotting. Deer and rabbits largely avoid begonias due to their smell.

Ragged holes in large leaves with silvery slime trails; worst after rain or overnight in moist conditions. Hand-pick at dusk; use iron-phosphate pellets around the plant base; apply diatomaceous earth in a ring; use copper tape on containers.

Adults notch leaf edges at night; larvae (white, C-shaped grubs) destroy roots, causing wilting and sudden plant death in containers. Apply nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist compost in late summer; inspect roots when repotting; use a gritty compost mix.

Clusters on new growth; leaves curl and yellow; sticky honeydew encourages sooty mold on glossy leaves. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; a firm jet of water removes light infestations.