What's eating my primulina 'patina'?

Primulina 'Patina', like other cultivated Primulina, is vulnerable to mealybugs in the leaf rosette, spider mites in low humidity, and fungus gnats in overwatered compost. Good air circulation and careful watering prevent most problems. Mealybugs hiding at the rosette base are the most persistent threat.

Cottony white deposits at leaf bases and along midribs; sticky honeydew and stunted growth Remove manually with alcohol-dipped swab; spray with dilute neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until resolved

Pale, stippled foliage; fine webbing under leaves; leaves curl and desiccate Increase ambient humidity; spray underside of leaves with insecticidal soap every 5–7 days for 3 treatments

Root damage from larvae causes wilting; adult gnats hover at soil surface Let compost surface dry out; apply sticky traps; use Bti (e.g., Gnatrol) soil drench