What's eating my hoya halconensis?

Hoya halconensis, from Mount Halcon in the Philippines, is a collector hoya grown indoors. Mealybugs are the primary pest concern for this genus, hiding in leaf axils and along stems. Spider mites and aphids can follow if conditions are dry or stressed. Early treatment prevents a minor spotting from becoming a full infestation.

White cottony masses at nodes, leaf joints, and growing tips; honeydew and sooty mould develop if not treated promptly. Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud, then spray insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil weekly for a month.

Pale, stippled leaf surfaces with fine silvery webbing underneath; foliage yellows and plant looks tired. Raise humidity, rinse plant thoroughly, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days until clear.

Soft insects on new shoots; growth curls and becomes distorted, with sticky deposits visible on leaves. Wash off with water, then apply insecticidal soap spray weekly until the colony is gone.