What's eating my huernia pillansii?

Huernia pillansii is a compact cactus-like stapeliad grown indoors, where mealybugs are the dominant pest, often hiding deep in its dense, tubercled stems. Spider mites and root mealybugs are secondary threats. Overly wet soil invites root rot more than pest attack, so always err on the dry side.

White woolly masses lodged between the dense tubercles and at stem bases; sticky deposits; weakened, puckered growth tips. Target colonies with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab. Follow up with repeated neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays at weekly intervals, ensuring the solution penetrates between tubercles.

Plant loses vigor; roots show white mealy coating when inspected; stem tips may shrivel even when soil moisture seems adequate. Bare-root the plant, rinse off all infested soil, and soak roots in a dilute systemic insecticide or neem solution. Repot into clean, fast-draining medium.

Pale, dusty stippling across stem surfaces; webbing in crevices between tubercles during hot, dry conditions. Mist stems lightly to raise humidity. Spray with neem oil or a dedicated miticide on a weekly basis for at least three consecutive weeks.