What's eating my begonia 'thurstonii'?

Begonia 'Thurstonii', a robust cane-type houseplant with metallic bronze-green leaves, is most frequently troubled by mealybugs and spider mites. Its large, glossy leaves can harbour thrips. The tall cane growth means pests sometimes establish on upper stems before they are noticed — check the full stem length monthly.

White cottony masses at stem nodes along tall canes and in leaf axils; honeydew and sooty mould accumulate. Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol to all visible colonies; treat the whole plant with neem oil spray every seven days for four weeks and isolate.

Fine pale stippling on the metallic upper leaf surface; webbing underneath in dry indoor conditions. Rinse canes and foliage under a shower; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every five days until clear. Maintain humidity above 50%.

Silver streaking and scarring on leaves; flower buds and new growth are distorted or fail to open. Remove affected foliage; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap spray and use yellow sticky traps indoors to monitor adult populations.