What's eating my lithops aucampiae?

Lithops Aucampiae (Living Stones) is most seriously threatened by mealybugs, especially root mealybugs that infest the soil around the long taproot. Overwatering accelerates any pest damage dramatically. Fungus gnats are a secondary nuisance. Keep soil extremely dry; inspect the taproot annually at repotting to catch hidden colonies.

White powder or waxy clusters on the taproot and surrounding soil; plant shrinks and fails to plump after watering Unpot during dry season, inspect taproot, soak in diluted insecticidal soap, dry fully for several days, repot in sterile mineral mix

White cottony wax at the fissure between the two leaf bodies; plant may rot at the seam if damage traps moisture Apply a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol with a fine brush at the fissure; avoid water; allow to air-dry completely

Larvae graze on surface roots in any organically rich compost; adults are a minor annoyance but signal overwatering Use a near-pure mineral (perlite/grit) mix that dries fast; yellow sticky traps; Bti drench if larvae confirmed