What's eating my pinguicula 'tina'?

Pinguicula 'Tina' is a compact indoor Mexican butterwort hybrid. Its sticky leaves trap fungus gnats and small flies naturally, but root aphids hiding in the gritty mineral substrate are the biggest threat. Mealybugs can also relocate through a collection and infest the crown and roots.

Hidden in the substrate; the plant wilts and declines despite correct watering, with honeydew and sooty mold sometimes visible at the crown. Unpot, remove all old substrate, inspect roots, and repot into fresh mineral mix. Apply a dilute systemic insecticide drench if re-infestation is confirmed.

White, waxy tufts at the crown, leaf bases, and in root zone; leaves yellow and the rosette shrinks. Dab visible mealybugs with a rubbing-alcohol cotton swab. Check and treat root zone at repotting. Isolate affected plants immediately to prevent spread.

Larvae can attack fine roots in overly moist substrate despite the leaves trapping adults; root damage causes wilting. Allow the substrate to dry slightly between waterings (Pinguicula 'Tina' tolerates this). Use a Bti soil drench for larvae; sticky traps for adults.