What's eating my bucephalandra motleyana?

Bucephalandra motleyana faces the same pest pressures as other emersed aroids kept indoors: spider mites thrive in dry air and are the top threat. Mealybugs colonise leaf axils, and fungus gnats exploit wet substrate. Submerged aquatic specimens are rarely affected by insects but watch for algae.

Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides; leaves lose lustre and may yellow Increase humidity to 60%+; wipe leaves regularly; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days for 3 cycles

Waxy white fluff at leaf bases and stem joints; honeydew attracting sooty mould Remove by hand with alcohol-dipped cotton swab; treat plant with diluted neem oil spray weekly until resolved

Root damage from larvae in soggy soil; adults a nuisance around the plant Water less frequently; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti (e.g. Gnatrol) as a soil drench