What's eating my frithia humilis?

Frithia humilis is a rare dwarf window-leaf succulent from South Africa, grown as a specialist houseplant. Like its close relative F. pulchra, mealybugs are the primary pest risk, hiding between the stubby translucent leaves. Root mealybugs and fungus gnats can strike if moisture is excessive. Strict drought care prevents most issues.

White waxy fluff between leaves or at soil level; affected leaves may collapse. Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swab; follow with neem oil solution applied weekly until eliminated.

Unexplained dieback; white powdery colonies visible on roots when plant is removed from pot. Unpot, rinse roots, allow to dry fully, and repot in fresh sharply-drained substrate. Drench with systemic if severe.

Adults fly around soil; larvae can damage the shallow root system of this small plant. Keep soil very dry; use a coarse top-dressing of perlite or grit. Apply Bti biological drench to eliminate larvae.