Hanging African Violet Pest Damage: Caterpillars or Mites?

Mysterious Damage on 30-Year-Old Hanging Violets

Your decades-old US hanging violets (likely Saintpaulia cultivars) show yellow flower centers, black specks on the sill, and holes in leaves—classic signs of chewing insects, possibly caterpillars or foliar pests.

Immediate Steps

1. Inspect thoroughly with a magnifying glass, especially leaf undersides and crown.
2. Purchase African violet-safe insecticide from a garden center. Read labels carefully—violets are extremely sensitive to chemicals.
3. Consider Schultz or similar brands formulated for delicate plants.
4. If no improvement in 5–7 days, suspect soil-dwelling nematodes or worms (rare but possible).

Expert Resource

Contact the African Violet Society of America (AVSA) at avsa.org. They offer free expert diagnosis and are the gold standard for violet issues.

Photo Submission

If possible, send clear photos of the damage, pests (if found), and overall plant for more precise identification.

With careful treatment, your 30-year legacy plants can recover.