What's eating my chirita 'aiko'?

Chirita 'Aiko' is a hybrid gesneriad grown as an indoor flowering plant with soft, hairy foliage. Like all Chirita hybrids it is susceptible to mealybugs hiding in the leaf joints, spider mites during dry winters, and fungus gnats when soil is kept too moist. Mealybugs are the biggest ongoing threat.

White cottony clusters in axils and along stems; leaves yellow and flower buds may abort; sticky honeydew. Dab infestations with 70% isopropyl alcohol; treat with neem oil spray weekly; isolate from collection immediately.

Yellow stippling and fine webbing on undersides; foliage looks dusty and faded, especially in low-humidity conditions. Improve humidity; spray insecticidal soap on leaf undersides every 5-7 days; remove heavily damaged leaves.

Larvae damage feeder roots; adult gnats are a nuisance and can introduce other pathogens. Water only when the soil surface is dry; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti drench to the compost.