What's eating my aerangis luteoalba?

Aerangis luteoalba, a miniature African epiphytic orchid, is most vulnerable to spider mites and mealybugs — both thrive in the warm, sheltered spots this plant prefers. Scale insects can cling to stems unnoticed. Its small leaf mass means even a mild infestation causes rapid decline, so inspect weekly under bright light.

Tiny yellow or bronze stipples on the upper leaf surface; fine webbing when infestation is heavy Increase humidity, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5 days for 3 cycles

White cottony clusters at leaf joints and on aerial roots; honeydew and sooty mould may follow Dab each colony with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud; repeat weekly and follow up with a neem oil spray

Hard brownish bumps adhering to stems; leaf yellowing and loss of vigour over time Scrape off with a soft brush, wipe with alcohol, and apply horticultural oil to suffocate remaining crawlers