What's eating my colima butterwort?

Pinguicula colimensis is a Mexican tropical butterwort with sticky leaves that catch fungus gnats incidentally — but aphids, spider mites, and botrytis still pose real threats in cultivation. Aphids congregate on flower stalks where sticky leaf coverage is absent. In low humidity, spider mites appear. Good airflow prevents the grey mould that hits rosette centres.

Clusters on flower stalks and around the base of new leaves cause wilting blooms and sticky residue. Remove with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol. Pinch off heavily infested flower stalks if seed production is not needed.

Fine stippling and webbing under leaves, most common in warm, dry indoor conditions below 40% humidity. Raise humidity to 50–60%. Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth. If persistent, a diluted insecticidal soap solution applied carefully to leaf undersides is effective.

Grey fuzzy growth on rosette leaves, particularly in winter or when airflow is restricted. Remove affected leaves promptly with sterile scissors. Increase ventilation and avoid water pooling in the rosette centre.