What's eating my moon valley pilea?

Moon Valley Pilea (Pilea mollis 'Moon Valley') is most vulnerable to fungus gnats due to its preference for consistently moist, peat-based potting mix. Mealybugs colonize the deeply textured, crater-like leaves where they hide in crevices. Aphids and spider mites appear occasionally, particularly when air is very dry or poorly circulated.

Larvae consume fine root hairs in wet potting mix, causing unexpected wilting and yellowing; adult gnats fly around the pot and soil surface. Allow the topsoil inch to dry before watering; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) soil drench and place yellow sticky traps to break the adult cycle.

White cottony deposits tucked into the deep leaf textures and stem nodes; honeydew accumulates and leaves appear dull and sticky. Work isopropyl alcohol-dipped cotton swabs into the leaf crevices; spray the whole plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap and repeat weekly.

Small soft insects on new growth and shoot tips; young leaves pucker or curl and a sticky film develops on lower leaves. Remove by hand or water blast; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, repeating every 7 days until the colony is gone.