What's eating my dieffenbachia?

Dieffenbachia indoors is most troubled by spider mites and mealybugs. The large, soft leaves are ideal spider mite territory in dry air. Aphids can appear on new growth. Fungus gnats breed in the moist soil this plant often sits in. Root mealybugs can go undetected until plants show unexplained decline.

Yellow or pale stippling across the broad leaf surface; fine webbing at the base of leaves; leaves may drop Raise humidity; wipe leaves with a damp cloth; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil covering all leaf surfaces; repeat weekly for three treatments

White fluff in leaf axils and at stem joints; honeydew; leaves yellow and new growth is distorted Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab; spray neem oil; check the root zone for root mealybugs when repotting

Adults hover around soil surface; larvae chew fine roots, causing wilting even in moist soil Reduce watering frequency; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; use yellow sticky traps; top-dress with horticultural grit