What's eating my philodendron andreanum?

Philodendron andreanum is a rare velvety-leaved Colombian species kept almost exclusively as an indoor collector plant. Like all velvety philodendrons, spider mites are its worst pest — the textured surface traps dust and early webbing is easy to miss. Mealybugs and thrips can also damage its delicate leaf surface.

Subtle stippling on velvety surface that can look like dust; fine webbing on undersides when infestation advances Rinse undersides gently with tepid water, maintain humidity above 60%, apply neem oil spray every 7 days

White cottony tufts in leaf joints and on petioles; stunted new growth and sticky honeydew Dab with isopropyl alcohol cotton swabs, follow with insecticidal soap spray; repeat weekly

Silver or bronze streaking across the velvet surface; black frass specks visible on close inspection Remove and discard worst leaves, apply spinosad spray, repeat every 5 days for three treatments