Growli

Pest identification

What's eating my bucephalandra catherineae?

Spider mites

Signs: Fine stippling on leaves, webbing on undersides, leaves dull and bronzed

Control: Raise humidity, mist foliage, wipe leaves with a damp cloth; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days until clear

Mealybugs

Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along stems; sticky honeydew residue

Control: Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow up with neem oil spray weekly for 3 weeks

Fungus gnats

Signs: Larvae feed on roots and organic matter in moist substrate; adult gnats hover around soil

Control: Allow the top inch of substrate to dry between waterings; use sticky yellow traps for adults; drench with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) for larvae

Keep bucephalandra catherineae pest-free

Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:

Bucephalandra Catherineae pests — FAQ

What is eating my bucephalandra catherineae?

Bucephalandra catherineae, an aquatic or semi-aquatic Bornean aroid kept as a houseplant or aquarium plant, is most commonly troubled by spider mites when grown emersed in dry indoor air. Mealybugs and fungus gnats can also appear. Submerged specimens are largely pest-free but may suffer algae overgrowth.

How do I get rid of spider mites on bucephalandra catherineae?

Fine stippling on leaves, webbing on undersides, leaves dull and bronzed Raise humidity, mist foliage, wipe leaves with a damp cloth; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days until clear

How do I get rid of mealybugs on bucephalandra catherineae?

White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along stems; sticky honeydew residue Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow up with neem oil spray weekly for 3 weeks

How do I get rid of fungus gnats on bucephalandra catherineae?

Larvae feed on roots and organic matter in moist substrate; adult gnats hover around soil Allow the top inch of substrate to dry between waterings; use sticky yellow traps for adults; drench with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) for larvae