What's eating my tropical dewy pine?

Drosophila indica (Tropical Dewy Pine) is a carnivorous plant with sticky dew-covered leaves. Aphids are the chief pest, crowding flower stems where sticky traps offer no protection. Fungus gnats breed freely in the warm, moist growing medium. Scale insects occasionally attach to stems and are hard to dislodge given the delicate foliage.

Dense clusters on flower stalks and stem tips cause wilting, distortion, and sticky honeydew that fosters sooty mould. Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab. Introduce predatory wasps (Aphidius) in a greenhouse setting as a chemical-free option.

Larvae damage the fine root system in wet, peaty substrate, causing slow decline or sudden wilting of individual stems. Yellow sticky traps catch adults. Allow only tray watering to keep the substrate surface less hospitable to egg-laying. Sand top-dressing helps further.

Hard or soft brown bumps adhere to stems, sucking sap and weakening growth over time. Scrape off individually with a toothpick or dab with an alcohol swab. Repeat weekly until clear. Avoid oil-based sprays on this glandular-leaved species.