Pest identification
What's eating my utricularia calycifida?
Fungus gnats
Signs: Root and stolon damage from larvae; plant loses vigour and may collapse; adult gnats a nuisance
Control: Bti soil drench every two weeks; keep substrate evenly moist but not stagnant; yellow sticky card near the pot
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluff on stolons below the medium surface; unexplained decline without visible above-ground symptoms
Control: Unpot, rinse clean, treat with dilute isopropyl alcohol solution, repot in sterile medium
Aphids
Signs: Tiny insects on delicate flower scapes; blooms abort or distort
Control: Gently wipe or rinse flower stalks with water; insecticidal soap as a last resort
Keep utricularia calycifida pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Utricularia calycifida pests — FAQ
What is eating my utricularia calycifida?
Utricularia calycifida is a South American terrestrial bladderwort popular as a houseplant for its attractive foliage and flowers. Like all bladderworts in wet indoor culture, its damp peaty medium is a breeding ground for fungus gnats. Mealybugs can settle on stolons. The plant's small root mass means pest damage escalates quickly if unchecked.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on utricularia calycifida?
Root and stolon damage from larvae; plant loses vigour and may collapse; adult gnats a nuisance Bti soil drench every two weeks; keep substrate evenly moist but not stagnant; yellow sticky card near the pot
How do I get rid of mealybugs on utricularia calycifida?
White fluff on stolons below the medium surface; unexplained decline without visible above-ground symptoms Unpot, rinse clean, treat with dilute isopropyl alcohol solution, repot in sterile medium
How do I get rid of aphids on utricularia calycifida?
Tiny insects on delicate flower scapes; blooms abort or distort Gently wipe or rinse flower stalks with water; insecticidal soap as a last resort