What's eating my neoregelia 'fireball'?

Neoregelia 'Fireball' is a compact, fiery-red miniature bromeliad grown indoors. Scale insects and mealybugs are the pests most likely to attack it, hiding among the tight, low rosette leaves. Its small size makes early detection easy — inspect closely at every watering and treat immediately at the first sign of infestation.

Tiny white cottony specks deep in the compact rosette at leaf bases; sticky residue and slowed growth. Dab each colony with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; repeat weekly; apply neem oil spray if the infestation spreads.

Hard tan bumps along leaf surfaces and undersides; plant loses vigour and colour intensity fades. Scrape off visible scales; treat with horticultural oil spray every two weeks until clear; inspect neighbouring plants immediately.