What's eating my haworthia?

Haworthias are tough succulents with few pest problems. Mealybugs are the most common threat, hiding in leaf axils and at the base of rosettes. Root mealybugs and fungus gnats can also attack if soil stays too wet. Spider mites occasionally appear in hot, dry indoor conditions. Good airflow and infrequent watering prevent most issues.

White cottony clusters in leaf axils and at the base; sticky honeydew; distorted new growth. Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 7–10 days.

White waxy deposits on roots and potting mix; plant wilts and stalls despite adequate watering. Unpot, wash all roots under running water, discard old soil, treat roots with a systemic insecticide drench (e.g., imidacloprid) and repot in fresh gritty mix.

Adults hover around the soil; larvae chew fine roots, causing yellowing and weak growth — worst in wet soil. Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) soil drench or use yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce adult populations.