What's eating my colocasia pharaoh's mask?

Colocasia Pharaoh's Mask faces the same insect and wildlife pressures as other taro cultivars. Spider mites and aphids attack the foliage indoors and out, while slugs and deer can devastate garden plantings overnight. The rich, dark-marked leaves show spider mite damage quickly as pale streaking across the surface.

Fine webbing on leaf backs; pale streaking or stippling disrupts the cultivar's distinctive dark leaf markings Boost humidity, shower off mites, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil on a 5–7 day cycle

Colonies on new growth cause curling and distortion; honeydew drip attracts ants and promotes sooty mold Remove by hand or with a water blast; treat with insecticidal soap if colonies persist

Large, ragged holes chewed through leaves at night; slime trails are the telltale sign Set iron-phosphate bait around plants, clear debris, hand-pick after dark

Wholesale removal of leaves and petioles; entire garden clumps can be stripped in a single night Use deer-repellent spray reapplied after rain, or install physical fencing around the planting area