What's eating my pubescent bladderwort?

Pubescent bladderwort (Utricularia pubescens) is a semi-aquatic carnivorous houseplant rarely troubled by leaf-chewing insects — its sticky glands trap small invaders. The real threats are fungus gnat larvae in damp substrate and root mealybugs, plus aphids on emerging flower stalks. Spider mites may colonise foliage in hot, dry indoor air.

Larvae burrow through wet substrate and chew fine roots and rhizoids, causing sudden wilt and poor growth despite good watering Apply a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTi) drench (e.g., Gnatrol or Mosquito Bits) to the substrate; let the surface dry slightly between waterings to break the breeding cycle

White waxy clusters below substrate level weaken the plant; above-ground growth yellows and stalls Drench substrate with imidacloprid systemic solution (Marathon or equivalent) at label rate; repeat after 4 weeks; repot into fresh pure sphagnum

Clusters on flower stalks and emerging shoots cause twisted, stunted buds and sticky honeydew residue Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, or rinse with distilled water; avoid oil-based sprays on delicate bladderwort foliage