What's eating my hoya macrophylla?

Hoya macrophylla's large, waxy leaves are resistant to many pests, but mealybugs are the most persistent threat, hiding in the thick leaf axils and stem joints. Spider mites and scale can establish in dry conditions. Inspect the undersides of leaves and vine nodes monthly for early signs.

White cottony tufts on stems and leaf axils; honeydew residue leads to sticky leaves and sooty mould. Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab to visible bugs; spray the whole plant with neem oil and repeat in two weeks.

Small brown dome-like bumps on stems and leaf undersides; affected areas yellow and leaves drop in heavy infestations. Scrape off scales manually, then treat with horticultural oil or a neem oil spray, covering all stem surfaces.

Pale stippling and very fine webbing on leaf undersides, most visible in low-humidity conditions. Wipe leaves, boost humidity, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until the infestation is resolved.