What's eating my echeveria lilacina?

Echeveria lilacina, the ghost echeveria, is vulnerable to mealybugs nestled between its powdery rosette leaves and to vine weevil grubs attacking roots. Root mealybugs can also develop unseen in the soil. Its powdery farina coating makes it prone to marking, so avoid wetting the leaves when treating. Overwatering invites fungus gnats as a secondary pest.

White cottony masses between leaf layers and at the base of the rosette; distorted, stunted leaves and sticky residue Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol directly with a cotton swab; drench soil with diluted neem oil for root mealybugs; repeat every 10 days

Larvae eat roots and the stem base, causing sudden collapse; adults notch leaf edges but damage is minor Repot and remove grubs by hand; apply nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to the soil in autumn in the UK; use vine weevil killer drenches

Larvae damage fine roots in waterlogged soil; adult flies hover around the soil surface Allow soil to dry thoroughly between waterings; use gritty, free-draining succulent mix; apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) drench