What's eating my slender-leaved sundew?

Drosera linearis is a slender temperate sundew native to cold bogs. Its sticky tentacles catch small insects but do not deter aphids on flower stalks or fungus gnats in the substrate. Mealybugs occasionally settle at leaf bases. Being a cool-growing species, it can also suffer from botrytis grey mould in stagnant humid conditions indoors.

Small colonies on flower scapes and new growth cause wilting and leave honeydew that invites fungal infection. Remove with a fine water rinse or alcohol swab. Avoid any insecticide spray near the leaf tentacles, which are easily damaged.

Larvae destroy fine roots in the wet, cold-tolerant peat/sand mix, causing the rosette to stall or collapse. Yellow sticky traps for adults; sand top-dressing to reduce egg-laying. Keep water trays clean and refreshed regularly.

Grey fuzzy mould appears on leaves or rosette centres, especially in cool, low-airflow indoor conditions. Increase air circulation immediately. Remove affected leaves with sterile scissors. Reduce humidity slightly around the plant without letting the substrate dry out.