What's eating my aloinopsis setifera?

Aloinopsis setifera, a bristly-leafed South African mesemb, faces the same indoor pest trio as all Aloinopsis: mealybugs (including root mealybugs) are the biggest risk, spider mites thrive in dry winter air, and fungus gnats breed in overwatered pots. Minimal watering and excellent drainage are the primary defenses.

White fluffy patches between leaves or on stems; root mealybugs cause unexpected collapse or stunting — spotted as white powdery deposits when you unpot. Dab visible colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Unpot and clean roots if root mealybugs are present, allow to air-dry, repot into fresh gritty compost. Apply a systemic insecticide drench if needed.

Fine webbing and silvery speckling on fleshy leaves, especially in centrally heated dry rooms during winter. Spray all surfaces with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 5–7 days for three weeks. Ensure good air circulation to reduce conditions mites favour.

Tiny black flies near soil; larvae damage fine roots in persistently damp compost, causing slow decline. Water sparingly and top-dress with horticultural grit. Use yellow sticky traps; apply a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench to eliminate larvae.