Pest identification
What's eating my colocasia fontanesii?
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on young stems and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew and distorted new growth
Control: Knock off with a firm jet of water or use insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 5–7 days until clear.
Caterpillars
Signs: Ragged holes or stripped sections in the large leaf blades; visible frass on or below the leaves
Control: Hand-pick larvae in the evening, or apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to the foliage.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Irregular holes and slime trails at the base of leaves and on emerging petioles near water
Control: Hand-remove after dark, use copper barriers on containers, or place iron phosphate pellets away from water margins.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaves of indoor or undercover plants in dry conditions
Control: Rinse leaves, boost humidity, and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days until resolved.
Keep colocasia fontanesii pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Colocasia Fontanesii pests — FAQ
What is eating my colocasia fontanesii?
Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii' (violet-stemmed taro) is grown in ponds, bog gardens, and tropical borders as well as indoors. Outdoors, aphids on emerging stems, caterpillars chewing the large leaves, and slugs at the waterline are the main threats. Indoors, spider mites and mealybugs dominate. Taro leaf blight can appear in humid outdoor settings.
How do I get rid of aphids on colocasia fontanesii?
Dense colonies on young stems and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew and distorted new growth Knock off with a firm jet of water or use insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 5–7 days until clear.
How do I get rid of caterpillars on colocasia fontanesii?
Ragged holes or stripped sections in the large leaf blades; visible frass on or below the leaves Hand-pick larvae in the evening, or apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to the foliage.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on colocasia fontanesii?
Irregular holes and slime trails at the base of leaves and on emerging petioles near water Hand-remove after dark, use copper barriers on containers, or place iron phosphate pellets away from water margins.
How do I get rid of spider mites on colocasia fontanesii?
Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaves of indoor or undercover plants in dry conditions Rinse leaves, boost humidity, and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days until resolved.