What's eating my chocolate soldier episcia?

Chocolate Soldier episcia is an Episcia cultivar with deep bronze-brown leaves. Spider mites are the primary pest — the velvety leaf surface makes early webbing difficult to spot until the infestation is established. Mealybugs hide effectively against the dark foliage; look for white fluff in crowns and stolon joints.

Pale stippling or silvery sheen on dark velvety leaves; webbing on undersides; leaves may yellow and drop Increase humidity, rinse plant thoroughly, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days; repeat for 3 weeks minimum

White waxy clusters hidden against dark stems and in the leaf crown — can be missed until damage is severe Inspect closely with a torch; remove with alcohol swabs; treat with insecticidal soap spray weekly

Larvae feed on roots in the moist, warm conditions Episcias require; adults hover around soil and water Allow surface soil to dry slightly between waterings; apply Bti drench; yellow sticky traps for adult monitoring