What's eating my conophytum uviforme?

Conophytum Uviforme (button plant) is a tiny mesemb most threatened by mealybugs and root mealybugs. Fungus gnats thrive if the soil stays damp. Spider mites are occasional in warm, dry rooms. Keep the plant almost bone dry outside its autumn growing season and inspect roots at repotting time.

White powdery wax between the paired bodies; plant shrivels despite adequate water Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a fine artist's brush; treat surrounding soil surface with diluted neem drench

Unexplained shrivelling; white deposits on roots visible when unpotted Unpot, clean roots thoroughly, soak briefly in diluted neem solution, repot in dry mineral mix

Small flies above soil; larvae damage fine feeder roots causing failure to plump up Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; top-dress with coarse grit; use yellow sticky traps