What's eating my caladium 'carolyn whorton'?

Caladium 'Carolyn Whorton', a showy houseplant tropical, is most commonly attacked by spider mites in warm, dry indoor conditions and mealybugs in leaf axils. Aphids may colonise new growth, and fungus gnats breed in wet potting mix. The vivid pink-and-green leaves signal infestations quickly — check undersides weekly.

Fine pale stippling or bronze discolouration across leaves; delicate webbing on undersides in dry conditions. Raise humidity; spray leaves with water regularly; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days.

White waxy cottony clusters in leaf axils and along petioles; sticky honeydew and weakened growth. Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray with neem oil; isolate plant.

Soft insects clustered on new unfurling leaves; distorted growth and sticky residue. Remove by hand or rinse under lukewarm water; apply insecticidal soap spray. Repeat weekly as needed.

Larvae in potting mix nibble fine roots, causing wilting and poor vigour; adults are a nuisance indicator of overwatering. Allow the top 5 cm of soil to dry between waterings; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench; use yellow sticky traps.