Pest identification
What's eating my primulina heterotricha?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white masses at leaf axils and beneath hairy leaf surfaces; yellowing; sticky residue.
Control: Use an alcohol-tipped swab to remove visible bugs; spray with neem oil solution weekly for 4-6 weeks to break the lifecycle.
Spider mites
Signs: Stippling and silvery patches on leaves; fine webs appear on undersides when infestations are heavy.
Control: Increase humidity to 50%+; apply insecticidal soap targeting leaf undersides; repeat every 5-7 days until clear.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Root feeding by larvae reduces plant vigour and causes wilting; adult flies swarm around the soil.
Control: Allow soil surface to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky cards to trap adults; soil drench with Bti solution.
Keep primulina heterotricha pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Primulina heterotricha pests — FAQ
What is eating my primulina heterotricha?
Primulina heterotricha is a species gesneriad with hairy, textured leaves suited to indoor cultivation. Mealybugs are the most persistent threat, hiding easily in the leaf hairs and at stem bases. Spider mites can colonise leaf undersides in dry air, while fungus gnats signal composts kept too wet.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on primulina heterotricha?
Cottony white masses at leaf axils and beneath hairy leaf surfaces; yellowing; sticky residue. Use an alcohol-tipped swab to remove visible bugs; spray with neem oil solution weekly for 4-6 weeks to break the lifecycle.
How do I get rid of spider mites on primulina heterotricha?
Stippling and silvery patches on leaves; fine webs appear on undersides when infestations are heavy. Increase humidity to 50%+; apply insecticidal soap targeting leaf undersides; repeat every 5-7 days until clear.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on primulina heterotricha?
Root feeding by larvae reduces plant vigour and causes wilting; adult flies swarm around the soil. Allow soil surface to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky cards to trap adults; soil drench with Bti solution.