What's eating my saintpaulia 'winter lace'?

Saintpaulia 'Winter Lace' is an indoor African violet vulnerable to mealybugs, cyclamen mites, thrips, and fungus gnats. Mealybugs are the most common threat, hiding at leaf bases and causing distorted, sticky growth. Inspect weekly, isolate new plants, and treat infestations promptly to protect the delicate fringed blooms.

White cottony clusters at leaf axils and under leaves; sticky honeydew residue and stunted growth. Dab individual colonies with a cotton swab soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray weekly for 3–4 weeks.

Tiny, nearly invisible mites causing puckered, distorted center leaves and stunted or streaked flowers. Discard severely affected plants; treat mild cases with insecticidal soap or miticide spray; avoid overhead watering.

Silvery stippling or streaking on petals and leaves; distorted blooms and tiny black frass specks. Remove affected flowers; apply spinosad-based spray or neem oil; use sticky blue traps to monitor populations.

Larvae in moist soil eat fine roots, causing wilting and yellowing; adults are a nuisance indicator of overwatering. Allow soil surface to dry between waterings; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench; use yellow sticky traps.