What's eating my calathea warscewiczii (jungle velvet)?

Calathea Warscewiczii (Jungle Velvet) is a moisture-loving houseplant most troubled by spider mites in low humidity and mealybugs hiding in its velvety leaf folds. Fungus gnats breed readily in its perpetually moist soil. Maintaining high humidity and avoiding waterlogging are the primary defences.

Fine webbing and pale pinprick stippling on the velvety upper leaf surface; leaves eventually yellow and drop Increase ambient humidity above 60%, rinse foliage, treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly

White waxy deposits tucked into petiole joints and leaf bases; plant loses vigour and leaves distort Treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, then follow up with a neem oil drench

Root damage from larvae in overwatered soil; adult flies hover around the pot Let the topsoil surface dry slightly between waterings; use Bti (mosquito dunks) soil drench and sticky traps