What's eating my aloe peglerae?

Aloe peglerae, a slow-growing South African aloe kept indoors or in a cool greenhouse, is most at risk from mealybugs lodging in its inward-curving leaves. Spider mites can establish in warm, dry air. Scale is an occasional nuisance on its stems. Overwatering invites fungus gnats via root-zone breakdown.

Waxy white wool in leaf axils and at the stem base; stunted growth and sticky honeydew. Treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs; apply neem oil drench to soil and foliar spray weekly until clear.

Tiny yellow or white dots across leaf faces; webbing appears when populations are high. Raise humidity, rinse foliage gently, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days.

Larvae damage fine roots in wet compost; adults swarm around the pot surface. Allow soil to dry between waterings; apply a BTi soil drench and place yellow sticky traps.