What's eating my pale pitcher plant?

Pale Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia alata) is a carnivorous bog plant grown indoors or in outdoor bog gardens. Its main threats are aphids clustering on new pitchers and scale insects on stems. Because it traps insects itself, pest pressure is generally low — keep water pure and airflow good to prevent fungus gnats in the wet media.

Soft-bodied colonies on new pitcher lids and phyllodia; stunted, sticky growth Blast off with water or apply insecticidal soap; avoid systemic insecticides that harm the plant's own trapping chemistry

Waxy brown or tan bumps on pitcher stems; yellowing and weakened pitchers Remove manually with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; neem oil spray for persistent infestations

Larvae in the wet peat media damage fine roots; adults are a nuisance Use only distilled or rain water in trays; top-dress with a thin layer of perlite; yellow sticky traps for adults