What's eating my echeveria subsessilis 'morning beauty'?

Echeveria subsessilis 'Morning Beauty' is most vulnerable to mealybugs, which exploit the tight rosette and powdery leaf coating to hide undetected. Spider mites, aphids, and fungus gnats (in overwatered soil) are secondary threats. Check the rosette centre and leaf axils weekly; early detection prevents the colony from spreading to neighbouring plants.

Fluffy white wax in the rosette centre or tucked against leaf bases; distorted new leaves and sticky honeydew residue Dab affected areas with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with insecticidal soap; isolate immediately and repeat weekly for a month

Fine webbing on leaf undersides and between leaves; leaves develop pale silvery or bronze stippling and lose their glaucous coating Spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap or neem oil, paying close attention to undersides; repeat every 5–7 days for 3–4 cycles

Clusters of small soft insects on new growth; leaves pucker and curl; sticky honeydew can attract sooty mould Wipe off by hand or with a damp cloth; spray with insecticidal soap; one or two treatments typically clear a light infestation

Larvae in overly moist soil chew fine roots, causing wilting and slow growth; adults are a nuisance but cause little direct leaf damage Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; use a well-draining gritty mix; apply a soil drench of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) or hydrogen peroxide solution