What's eating my echeveria 'perle von nurnberg'?

Echeveria 'Perle von Nurnberg' is most commonly damaged by mealybugs, which hide deep inside the rosette where the powdery purple leaves trap moisture. Vine weevil grubs can destroy roots, causing sudden collapse. Aphids sometimes cluster on flower stalks. Outdoors, slugs occasionally rasp leaf surfaces. The dense rosette form makes early pest detection a challenge.

White waxy fluff buried in rosette center or on roots; leaves shrivel and lose color despite normal care Flush rosette with 70% isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle; remove from soil to check for root mealybugs; repot in fresh mix if found

Sudden wilting and collapse; white C-shaped grubs visible in soil eating roots when plant is unpotted Apply nematode (Steinernema kraussei) soil drench in autumn; inspect roots at repotting; discard heavily damaged plants

Soft green or pink clusters on flower stalks and buds; distorted flowers; sticky honeydew Remove flower stalks if heavily infested; spray with insecticidal soap; check weekly during flowering