What's eating my bertolonia marmorata?

Bertolonia marmorata is a rare, ultra-humid terrarium plant with velvety, marbled leaves. Its main indoor pest is mealybugs, which exploit the dense, low-growing foliage. Fungus gnats colonise its perpetually moist substrate. The delicate velvet leaves are easily damaged, so use the gentlest treatments and diluted sprays.

White cottony deposits between leaf axils and at soil level; honeydew causes sooty deposits on the velvet surface, permanently staining it. Carefully apply isopropyl alcohol with a fine paintbrush to each colony; use diluted neem oil spray (half-strength) to avoid marking the velvet leaves.

Larvae feed on roots and decomposing organic matter in the moist, peat-rich substrate, weakening the shallow root system. Apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) as a soil drench; in enclosed terrariums, reduce misting briefly to allow the surface to dry slightly.

Faint pale flecking on the velvety leaf surface; the iridescent sheen dulls noticeably before webbing becomes visible. Maintain very high humidity (the plant's natural habitat also discourages mites); carefully mist and treat with diluted insecticidal soap, avoiding heavy spray on velvet.