Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'black mamba'?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white colonies hidden in leaf crevices and petiole bases; honeydew residue
Control: Use an alcohol-dipped cotton swab to remove colonies; follow with a neem oil spray on a weekly schedule for a month
Spider mites
Signs: Bronze stippling on dark leaf surfaces; fine silk webbing on undersides
Control: Improve humidity; apply insecticidal soap spray, targeting undersides, and repeat every 7 days
Thrips
Signs: Silver-grey streaks and scarring on ornamental leaf surfaces; small dark frass deposits
Control: Remove affected leaves; spray with spinosad-based insecticide or insecticidal soap; use blue sticky traps to monitor
Keep begonia 'black mamba' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia 'Black Mamba' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'black mamba'?
Begonia 'Black Mamba' is a dark-leaved rex hybrid houseplant. Its thick, textured leaves can harbour mealybugs deep in the crevices. Spider mites are a frequent problem in centrally heated rooms. Thrips scar the ornamental leaf surface, diminishing the plant's showpiece appeal significantly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia 'black mamba'?
Cottony white colonies hidden in leaf crevices and petiole bases; honeydew residue Use an alcohol-dipped cotton swab to remove colonies; follow with a neem oil spray on a weekly schedule for a month
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia 'black mamba'?
Bronze stippling on dark leaf surfaces; fine silk webbing on undersides Improve humidity; apply insecticidal soap spray, targeting undersides, and repeat every 7 days
How do I get rid of thrips on begonia 'black mamba'?
Silver-grey streaks and scarring on ornamental leaf surfaces; small dark frass deposits Remove affected leaves; spray with spinosad-based insecticide or insecticidal soap; use blue sticky traps to monitor