What's eating my lepismium cruciforme?

Lepismium cruciforme (a jungle-floor epiphytic cactus) kept indoors is most susceptible to mealybugs, which shelter in the notched margins of its flattened stems. Spider mites can cause silvery scarring in dry indoor conditions. Fungus gnats thrive if the bark mix is kept too wet. Scale insects are an occasional secondary threat.

White cottony fluff tucked into stem notches and near the base; feeding distorts new growth and causes yellowing of the trailing stems Remove with a cotton bud soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow with a neem oil spray; repeat every 10 days for 4–6 weeks

Fine pale stippling or bronzing of the flat stem surfaces; may see faint webbing where stems cross in dense hanging baskets Raise humidity by misting nearby air (not the plant directly); apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; move away from hot, dry radiators

Larvae in the orchid bark or peat mix sever fine roots; plant shows limp or yellowing stems despite the medium feeling moist Use free-draining bark compost; let medium approach dryness between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti drench