What's eating my hikuri?

Hikuri (Lophophora diffusa) is a slow-growing spineless cactus kept indoors. Its main threats are root mealybugs hiding in the soil and above-ground mealybugs clustering at the crown. Scale insects and spider mites occasionally attack. Overwatering invites rot faster than any pest, so good drainage is your first defense.

White waxy clusters on roots; plant yellows, wilts, and stops growing despite correct watering Unpot, rinse roots, soak in dilute neem solution, repot in fresh dry compost; drench with systemic imidacloprid if infestation is heavy

White cottony fluff at the crown and between tubercles; sticky honeydew may appear Dab individual bugs with a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab; spray whole plant with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; repeat every 7 days for 3 weeks

Brown or tan flat shells fixed to the skin; feeding causes yellow patches and weakened growth Scrape off with a soft toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol; apply neem oil spray; repeat after 10 days