Black dirt like spots on eaten spider plant leaves??

Question

Woke up to find most of my spider plants leaves eaten away and trails of what looks like black soil on what was left. Touching these little mounds of dirt felt slimy. These were also found on the surrounding surfaces, any ideas??

• 
• 

Answer 1

The black spots and leaf damage point to insect larvae, caterpillar or slug infestation. The spots are called frass, insect excrement. Slugs do their damage after dark. If your plant is, or has recently been outside, examine it will including the leaf undersides. Here is a good article that covers description and treatment of houseplant pests. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/common-houseplant-insects-related-pests/