What's eating my saintpaulia 'buckeye fanfare'?

Saintpaulia 'Buckeye Fanfare' is an indoor African violet susceptible to mealybugs, cyclamen mites, thrips, and fungus gnats. Mealybugs are the most frequent invader. Inspect the leaf axils and crown regularly — catching infestations early is essential because the dense, multi-petaled flowers give pests easy hiding spots.

Cottony white clusters at leaf joints and under foliage; sticky secretions attract sooty mold. Treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow with neem oil spray every 7–10 days until clear.

Crown leaves become stunted, stiff, and downward-cupped; flowers are malformed or absent. Use a miticide or repeat insecticidal soap applications; discard plant if crown is heavily infested to protect others.

Silvery flecking on petal surfaces; streaked or bronzed blooms; tiny dark droppings visible on flowers. Remove and dispose of affected blooms; spray spinosad or insecticidal soap weekly; blue sticky traps help monitor.

Larvae feed on roots in soggy soil, causing yellowing and decline despite regular care. Allow soil to partially dry between waterings; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis drench; trap adults with yellow cards.