What's eating my echeveria agavoides?

Echeveria agavoides is most threatened by mealybugs, which hide in leaf axils and drain sap. Spider mites, vine weevil grubs, and fungus gnats can also strike. Inspect leaf crevices regularly, isolate new plants, and avoid overwatering — wet soil invites both root pests and fungal rot.

White cottony clusters in leaf axils; leaves yellow and shrivel as sap is drained. Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; treat the whole plant with neem oil spray weekly for 3–4 weeks.

Tiny stippled or bronzed patches on leaves; fine webbing between rosette leaves in severe infestations. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, then apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil spray; increase humidity slightly and repeat every 5–7 days.

Sudden wilting and collapse; white C-shaped grubs devour roots, leaving a hollow crown. Knock plant out of pot and inspect roots; destroy grubs by hand; apply pathogenic nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to soil in spring and autumn.

Larvae chew fine roots; adult flies hover around soil surface; seedlings or weakened plants show stunted growth. Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry completely between waterings; use sticky yellow traps for adults; drench soil with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) for larvae.