Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'marmaduke'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy clusters at stem nodes and undersides of leaves; honeydew leads to sooty mould
Control: Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs; treat the whole plant with neem oil spray on a 7-day cycle for 3 weeks
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny yellow speckling on upper leaf surface; fine webs visible on undersides
Control: Increase humidity around the plant; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, ensuring underside coverage
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adult gnats hover around compost; larvae damage fine roots, stunting growth
Control: Let the top inch of soil dry out fully; use yellow sticky traps and apply Bti soil drench
Keep begonia 'marmaduke' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia 'Marmaduke' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'marmaduke'?
Begonia 'Marmaduke', a compact cane-type houseplant, is most vulnerable to mealybugs that hide in stem joints and leaf axils. Spider mites can colonise the undersides of its glossy leaves in dry indoor air. Fungus gnats become a problem if the growing medium stays too wet.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia 'marmaduke'?
White waxy clusters at stem nodes and undersides of leaves; honeydew leads to sooty mould Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs; treat the whole plant with neem oil spray on a 7-day cycle for 3 weeks
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia 'marmaduke'?
Tiny yellow speckling on upper leaf surface; fine webs visible on undersides Increase humidity around the plant; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, ensuring underside coverage
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on begonia 'marmaduke'?
Adult gnats hover around compost; larvae damage fine roots, stunting growth Let the top inch of soil dry out fully; use yellow sticky traps and apply Bti soil drench