What's eating my nepenthes spathulata?

Nepenthes spathulata is a vigorous Sumatran highland pitcher plant. Like most Nepenthes in cultivation, it is most susceptible to mealybugs on tender new growth and scale on mature stems. Fungus gnats breed in its moist medium. Good airflow and cool temperatures help keep all three pests in check.

White cottony residue at leaf bases and under pitcher lids; new pitchers shrivel before opening Swab with isopropyl alcohol; spray foliage with diluted neem oil; repeat every 7–10 days; quarantine from other carnivorous plants

Small hard shells on stems and leaf undersides; honeydew leads to sooty mould coating the leaves Manually remove and treat with horticultural oil; improve airflow; check monthly as they spread slowly

Larvae in the sphagnum moss damage fine feeder roots; adults emerge and resettle in other pots nearby Apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis drench; use sticky yellow traps; replace the top layer of sphagnum if heavily colonised