Pest identification
What's eating my amaryllis 'red lion'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters between bulb scales and at leaf bases; stunted growth and yellowing
Control: Dab with alcohol-soaked swab; treat with neem oil; isolate plant; re-inspect after 10 days
Narcissus bulb fly (Merodon equestris)
Signs: Maggot tunnels into the bulb centre, causing soft rotting and hollow bulb; plant fails to emerge or collapses
Control: Inspect bulbs before planting; discard soft or hollow bulbs; cover soil with fine mesh netting when plants are outdoors in summer; avoid growing near narcissus
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling across leaves; fine webbing on undersides; worse in warm dry indoor air
Control: Mist leaves regularly; wipe with damp cloth; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until resolved
Keep amaryllis 'red lion' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Amaryllis 'Red Lion' pests — FAQ
What is eating my amaryllis 'red lion'?
Amaryllis 'Red Lion' (Hippeastrum) grown indoors is most commonly targeted by mealybugs hiding in bulb scales and leaf bases. Narcissus bulb fly can damage bulbs in storage or when kept outdoors. Spider mites appear in low-humidity rooms. Inspect bulbs carefully at planting time.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on amaryllis 'red lion'?
White cottony clusters between bulb scales and at leaf bases; stunted growth and yellowing Dab with alcohol-soaked swab; treat with neem oil; isolate plant; re-inspect after 10 days
How do I get rid of narcissus bulb fly (merodon equestris) on amaryllis 'red lion'?
Maggot tunnels into the bulb centre, causing soft rotting and hollow bulb; plant fails to emerge or collapses Inspect bulbs before planting; discard soft or hollow bulbs; cover soil with fine mesh netting when plants are outdoors in summer; avoid growing near narcissus
How do I get rid of spider mites on amaryllis 'red lion'?
Pale stippling across leaves; fine webbing on undersides; worse in warm dry indoor air Mist leaves regularly; wipe with damp cloth; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until resolved