What's eating my hoya sarawakensis?

Hoya sarawakensis, a Bornean species grown as an indoor trailing hoya, faces the same pest pressures as other hoyas in cultivation. Mealybugs are the primary concern, hiding in stem joints. Spider mites and fungus gnats can also appear, especially if the growing medium stays too wet.

Fluffy white deposits at nodes, petioles, and stem crevices; honeydew and sooty mold on leaf surfaces Treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs directly on colonies; follow with repeated neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays

Tiny yellow speckles across leaf surface; webbing visible under magnification on leaf undersides Wash plant with lukewarm water; apply miticide or insecticidal soap spray; improve air circulation and humidity

Larvae damage fine roots in overly moist substrate; adult gnats fly around the plant but cause little direct leaf damage Allow soil to dry between waterings; apply a Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) drench or use sticky yellow traps for adults