What's eating my cheiridopsis robusta?

Cheiridopsis robusta is a robust South African succulent grown as a houseplant. Like other Cheiridopsis, mealybugs sheltering under the papery old leaf sheaths and in stem crevices are the primary threat. Root mealybugs can colonise the root zone silently. Keeping foliage dry and removing spent sheaths promptly denies pests their preferred refuge.

White fluffy deposits under old leaf sheaths and at stem bases; weakened, slow growth Remove dried sheath material that shelters bugs; dab colonies with alcohol; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to affected areas, keeping leaf bodies dry

Plant fails to firm up after watering; chalky residue on roots discovered at repotting Unpot, clean and soak roots in diluted imidacloprid, and repot in fresh, very coarse, dry substrate

Larvae graze fine roots in wet compost; adults are seen flying around the pot Allow substrate to dry completely between waterings; use a grit top-dressing; yellow sticky traps capture adults and gauge pressure