Pest identification
What's eating my pinguicula primuliflora?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy clumps at the base of leaves or between leaf rosettes; sticky honeydew residue
Control: Dab with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; avoid systemic insecticides on carnivorous plants
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adults hover around moist substrate; larvae feed on fine root hairs in saturated mix
Control: Allow the top layer to dry slightly between waterings; yellow sticky traps catch adults; the sticky leaf surface catches many adults naturally
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan bumps on stems and leaf undersides; yellowing foliage
Control: Scrape off manually with a soft toothbrush; treat with dilute neem oil applied carefully away from leaf traps
Keep pinguicula primuliflora pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pinguicula primuliflora pests — FAQ
What is eating my pinguicula primuliflora?
Pinguicula primuliflora (primrose butterwort) traps small insects with its sticky leaves, so it resists most soft-bodied pests. Mealybugs occasionally shelter at leaf bases, and fungus gnats can proliferate in its perpetually moist substrate. Scale insects are rare but possible. Keep the medium lean and humid rather than waterlogged.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on pinguicula primuliflora?
White waxy clumps at the base of leaves or between leaf rosettes; sticky honeydew residue Dab with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; avoid systemic insecticides on carnivorous plants
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on pinguicula primuliflora?
Adults hover around moist substrate; larvae feed on fine root hairs in saturated mix Allow the top layer to dry slightly between waterings; yellow sticky traps catch adults; the sticky leaf surface catches many adults naturally
How do I get rid of scale insects on pinguicula primuliflora?
Brown or tan bumps on stems and leaf undersides; yellowing foliage Scrape off manually with a soft toothbrush; treat with dilute neem oil applied carefully away from leaf traps