Pest identification
What's eating my polka dot begonia?
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly tufts at stem nodes and undersides of leaves; growth slows and leaves yellow
Control: Treat with alcohol swabs on contact; follow with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 7 days
Thrips
Signs: Silvery scarring and streaking on the upper leaf surface, ruining the white spot pattern
Control: Spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap weekly; remove and bag heavily affected leaves
Whitefly
Signs: Clouds of tiny white-winged insects fly up when disturbed; yellowing leaves and sticky honeydew
Control: Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; hang yellow sticky traps to reduce adult populations
Keep polka dot begonia pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats polka dot begonia — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What eats polka dot begonia — our other guide for the same plant
- PictureThis alternatives — 7 plant ID apps compared
- Common polka dot begonia problems & fixes
- Polka Dot Begonia watering schedule
- Polka Dot Begonia light requirements
- Full polka dot begonia care guide
Polka Dot Begonia pests — FAQ
What is eating my polka dot begonia?
Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia maculata 'Wightii') is a cane begonia that mealybugs and thrips most commonly attack. Mealybugs conceal themselves in stem nodes, while thrips scar the dramatic white-spotted leaves. Powdery mildew can also colonise the foliage if airflow is poor — keep leaves dry and prune overcrowded stems.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on polka dot begonia?
White woolly tufts at stem nodes and undersides of leaves; growth slows and leaves yellow Treat with alcohol swabs on contact; follow with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 7 days
How do I get rid of thrips on polka dot begonia?
Silvery scarring and streaking on the upper leaf surface, ruining the white spot pattern Spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap weekly; remove and bag heavily affected leaves
How do I get rid of whitefly on polka dot begonia?
Clouds of tiny white-winged insects fly up when disturbed; yellowing leaves and sticky honeydew Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; hang yellow sticky traps to reduce adult populations