What's eating my veined begonia (venosa)?

Begonia venosa is a distinctive Brazilian species with thick, white-felted leaves, grown as a houseplant. Its succulent-like texture makes it more drought-tolerant than most begonias but also means overwatering leads to root rot rather than pest pressure. Spider mites and mealybugs are still the primary pest risks in warm, dry interiors.

Pale stippling under the white felt coating on leaves; webbing visible at margins in very dry conditions Increase humidity cautiously (avoid wetting the felt), apply neem oil by wiping undersides; repeat every 7 days

White waxy colonies blend into the felted white leaf surface — look carefully at stem bases and leaf undersides Dab with alcohol on a cotton swab; avoid saturating the felt surface; treat stems with neem oil spray

Larvae in overly moist soil damage the sparse root system; adults are a sign of overwatering for this succulent-type begonia Water sparingly and only when mix is dry; apply Bti drench and use yellow sticky traps for adults