What's eating my echeveria 'tarantula'?

Echeveria 'Tarantula' is a compact, bristle-leaved succulent hybrid. Like most Echeverias, mealybugs are its primary threat — the hairy, textured leaf surfaces can hide them well. Spider mites and fungus gnats round out the usual indoor succulent pest trio. Good drainage and airflow dramatically reduce risk.

White cottony masses between leaves, especially near the central stem; leaves wilt and become sticky Use an alcohol-soaked swab to remove individual colonies; drench with neem oil solution weekly; repeat for 4–6 weeks as eggs hatch

Tiny pale dots on the fleshy leaves; fine silk webbing in leaf joints in heavy infestations Apply diluted neem oil or miticide spray; increase air movement around the plant; treat every 5–7 days for three applications

Flying insects around the pot; root damage from larvae causes wilting Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings; apply yellow sticky cards; treat with Bti soil drench or beneficial nematodes