What's eating my cheiridopsis turbinata?

Cheiridopsis turbinata is grown as an indoor succulent where mealybugs hidden under dried leaf sheaths and at the plant base pose the greatest risk. Root mealybugs silently harm the root system. Spider mites can appear in hot, stagnant air. Stripping old dried sheaths away at each repotting disrupts mealybug colonies before they establish.

Cottony white clusters beneath old papery leaf sheaths and at stem joints; honeydew stickiness Remove dead leaf material harbouring bugs; treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs and follow up with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil spray

Gradual decline unresponsive to watering adjustments; waxy white material on roots when plant is unpotted Lift and clean the plant, soak roots in imidacloprid solution, dry briefly, and replant in sterile, very free-draining gritty mix

Pale speckling and slight dulling of leaf surfaces in warm, dry indoor conditions Improve ventilation; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; move away from heat sources such as radiators or vents