What's eating my caralluma europaea?

Caralluma europaea, native to the western Mediterranean and kept as a collector's indoor succulent, faces the same pest pressures as other stapeliads. Mealybugs are the most common attacker, with spider mites and scale insects appearing in warm, dry rooms. Consistent inspection and good airflow are the primary controls.

Cottony white colonies in stem crevices and at growth tips; honeydew and associated sooty mold; weakened stems. Remove colonies with isopropyl alcohol swabs. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly for three to four rounds, ensuring full stem coverage.

Flat brown discs attached to stem surfaces; stem tissue yellows or dimples beneath scale covers; plant vigor declines. Scrape off manually, then treat with horticultural oil or neem spray weekly for four weeks to kill emerging crawlers.

Pale stippled patches on stems; fine webbing visible under magnification; more prevalent in low-humidity, high-temperature conditions. Wipe stems with a damp cloth to reduce mite numbers physically. Spray neem oil or a miticide weekly, and keep the plant away from dry heat sources.