What's eating my conophytum calculus?

Conophytum calculus — the marble conophytum — is a compact, slow-growing mesemb mainly bothered by mealybugs concealed within its papery annual sheath. Root mealybugs are a silent secondary risk. Spider mites may appear in excessively dry indoor heat. The plant's greatest vulnerability is cultural overwatering, not pests.

White fluffy wax under the dry sheath layer; bodies appear deflated or fail to swell in autumn Remove old sheaths at repotting; treat colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol; drench with dilute neem for root-level bugs

Unexplained failure to rehydrate at end of summer dormancy; white powder on roots when unpotted Unpot, wash roots, treat with systemic insecticide soak, repot into sterilised mineral compost

Faint surface etching and speckling on the smooth bodies in hot, dry, poorly ventilated rooms Improve airflow; mist leaf surfaces lightly in non-dormant period; apply neem or insecticidal soap spray twice, one week apart