What's eating my hoya 'mathilde'?

Hoya 'Mathilde' is a compact, slow-growing Hoya that mealybugs target most readily, exploiting its tight leaf clusters where wax and humidity create ideal hiding spots. Spider mites strike in low humidity, and scale can quietly establish on the slender stems. Its small size makes thorough inspection easier — check every node when watering.

White waxy fluff packed into the tight leaf clusters and at node joints; growth stalls and leaves pale Use an alcohol swab in every crevice; follow with systemic neem oil spray and drench; repeat weekly for a month

Stippled pale marks on the small, waxy leaves; fine webbing over leaf clusters in severe cases Raise humidity, gently wipe leaves, treat with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; retreat after 7 days

Tiny immobile brown bumps on stems and the undersides of leaves; slow yellowing of foliage Scrape off with a soft toothbrush, then apply neem or horticultural oil; monitor closely for crawlers