What's eating my miniature sinningia?

Miniature Sinningia is an indoor gesneriad most troubled by mealybugs and fungus gnats. Mealybugs hide in leaf axils and under foliage, sucking sap and stunting the tiny plant. Fungus gnats breed in the moist, peaty compost these plants prefer. Inspect weekly and act early — the small size makes colonies escalate quickly.

White cottony tufts in leaf axils; sticky honeydew; distorted growth Dab individual colonies with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; treat the whole plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray, repeating every 7 days for 3 weeks

Larvae tunnel through roots and corm surface, causing wilting and yellowing; adults are a nuisance near the soil Allow the top inch of compost to dry between waterings; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench or yellow sticky traps to catch adults

Fine stippling and bronzing on tiny leaves; very fine webbing in dry conditions Raise humidity around the plant; wipe leaves with a damp cloth; spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days