What's eating my cobra lily?

Darlingtonia californica is a cool-growing, notoriously fussy carnivore. Aphids are the most common pest, attacking spring pitchers and flower scapes. Scale and mealybugs can appear on older pitchers. Fungus gnats breed in its wet sphagnum or live-moss medium. Keep roots cool; use only distilled or rainwater and avoid any fertilizer or pesticide in the medium.

Green or black clusters on emerging spring pitchers and flower scapes; distorted growth; honeydew promotes mold Remove with a careful water jet; apply insecticidal soap diluted spray to pitchers (avoid interior of trap); repeat as needed

Small hard bumps fixed on the outside of older pitcher tubes; yellowing pitchers; slow dieback Scrape off with a soft brush; treat externally with horticultural oil; avoid introducing oil into the trap interior

Larvae in sphagnum or sand medium damage hair roots; leads to unexpected wilting despite wet conditions Apply Bti drench; use yellow sticky traps; replace medium in spring if infestation persists