What's eating my guzmania 'empire'?

Guzmania 'Empire', like all bromeliads, faces its biggest threat from scale insects and mealybugs hiding in the leaf rosette. The central water cup can harbor fungus gnats if left stagnant. Spider mites attack in low humidity. Aphids occasionally colonize flower bracts. Good air circulation and refreshing the central cup water weekly are key.

Brown, limpet-like bumps on leaf bases and undersides; yellowing leaves and sticky honeydew residue Remove with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol; spray with neem oil dilution; repeat weekly for a month

White waxy cottony deposits in the leaf axils and central rosette; stunted growth and leaf distortion Dab individual colonies with alcohol-soaked cotton buds; apply diluted neem oil to rosette interior; isolate plant from other bromeliads

Adults fly around the plant; larvae may breed in stagnant water in the central cup or in moist potting mix Change cup water weekly; allow potting medium to partially dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) drench to soil