What's eating my espostoa lanata?

Espostoa lanata, the Peruvian old man cactus, is covered in white hair that readily harbours mealybugs and scale insects, which are hard to spot. Spider mites cause stippling damage on the hidden body surface. Periodic inspection of the wool by parting it gently is the most important pest management step.

Fluffy white colonies camouflaged within the cactus's own white hair; body discolouration beneath Part the hair carefully and dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; apply systemic neem oil as a drench

Hard brown or grey bumps hidden among the woolly hairs; honeydew leading to sooty mould Remove with a fine brush or toothpick dipped in alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray across the stem

Webbing tangled within the hair; pale stippling on the stem visible when hair is parted Spray with dilute neem oil; improve air circulation; avoid dry, stagnant indoor air