What's eating my aeonium canariense?

Aeonium Canariense (Giant Velvet Rose) is most commonly hit by aphids on its large rosette centres and scale insects on stems. Mealybugs can colonise leaf bases. Outdoors in summer, slugs may nibble lower leaves. Inspect the rosette centre regularly and treat early; good airflow deters most sucking insects.

Dense clusters of soft insects in the rosette centre and on flower stalks; sticky honeydew Blast with water; apply insecticidal soap spray to the rosette; repeat weekly for 3 weeks

Brown or cream oval bumps fixed to stems; yellowing leaves; sticky, sooty residue Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; treat with neem oil or horticultural oil spray; repeat monthly

White waxy clusters at leaf bases and growing point; slowed growth Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud; follow up with diluted neem oil

Ragged holes or slime trails on lower leaves when kept outdoors Apply copper tape around pots; use iron phosphate slug pellets; remove by hand at night