What's eating my begonia 'senator white'?

Begonia 'Senator White' (wax begonia) is most threatened by vine weevils, aphids, and slugs outdoors, plus mealybugs when grown in containers. Deer and rabbits generally avoid begonias due to their slightly bitter sap. In beds, slugs are the headline nuisance, especially during cool, wet spells.

Irregular ragged holes in leaves and flowers, slime trails on foliage and soil surface overnight. Apply iron phosphate pellets (pet-safe) around plants; remove by hand at dusk. Improve drainage and reduce mulch depth.

Notched leaf margins from adult beetles; wilting and collapse from grubs eating roots (worst in containers). Apply nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to soil in late summer; use neonicotinoid-free drench if population is severe.

Clustered soft insects on new shoots causing distorted, sticky foliage and sooty mold. Blast off with a strong water jet; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage ladybirds and lacewings.