What's eating my peperomia 'peppermill'?

Peperomia 'Peppermill' (P. obtusifolia 'Greengold') is a variegated, semi-succulent houseplant. Like all obtusifolia types, mealybugs are the chief pest, hiding in the leaf axils. Spider mites can strike in dry heated rooms. Both are controllable with prompt treatment — check the leaf joints where stem meets petiole most carefully.

Cottony white deposits in leaf axils and at the base of petioles; sticky leaves and possible yellowing Remove with alcohol swab; spray entire plant with dilute neem oil weekly for four weeks; dispose of any fallen leaves

Pale, dusty stippling across the green-and-gold variegated leaves; fine webbing under leaves in dry air Shower the plant with lukewarm water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil on a 5–7 day cycle until clear

Root damage from larvae if compost stays persistently wet; wilting out of proportion to soil moisture Allow compost to partially dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; treat soil with Bti biological drench