What's eating my dinteranthus microspermus?

Dinteranthus microspermus is a rare mesemb kept indoors where mealybugs are its most likely pest, hiding in the deep fissure between leaf bodies. Root mealybugs can colonise the shallow root system undetected. Fungus gnats breed if the mix stays wet. Vigilance at repotting time catches most issues early.

White fluffy wax in the central groove; sticky residue and weakened growth Dab with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab; follow up with a diluted neem oil application directed at soil level and around leaf bases

Unexplained wilting or failure to firm up after correct watering; powdery white deposits when roots are inspected Unpot, clean roots thoroughly, soak in diluted systemic insecticide, and repot in fresh, very gritty cactus compost

Larval root grazing in damp compost causes yellowing and weak growth; adults seen hovering Enforce strict dry-down between waterings; use a mineral grit top-dressing; yellow sticky traps catch adults