What's eating my friedrich's cone plant?

Friedrich's Cone Plant is a miniature Conophytum susceptible mainly to mealybugs sheltering in the dry papery sheath and to root mealybugs in the growing medium. Fungus gnats can follow if soil stays wet outside the plant's autumn growing season. Its small size means a single bug cluster can be devastating.

Cottony white clusters hidden under or within the dried papery leaf sheath at the plant base Remove old sheath carefully; treat with alcohol-dipped swab or diluted neem spray; isolate from other succulents

Plant fails to plump up in the growing season; white waxy material found on roots when unpotted Treat with a systemic imidacloprid drench or repot entirely into fresh, sterile mineral-based compost

Roots damaged by larvae; adults flying around pot signal overwatering or moisture during dormancy Observe strict summer dormancy (no water); top-dress with coarse sand; apply Bti drench if adults are present