What's eating my lithops julii?

Lithops julii is a tough, slow-growing mesemb that mainly suffers from mealybugs and, if kept too wet, fungus gnats. Its compact form gives few hiding spots, but the central fissure harbours mealybugs. Root mealybugs are a stealthy secondary risk. Mineral-grit compost and strict watering discipline prevent most problems.

White cottony clusters between or below leaf bodies; plant fails to firm up after watering Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton bud; drench soil with dilute neem or imidacloprid solution for root infestations

White powdery colonies coat the roots; plant looks desiccated even after correct watering Remove from pot, rinse roots, inspect thoroughly, treat with systemic drench, repot in sterile mineral compost

Larvae destroy fine roots in wet organic compost; seedling lithops especially vulnerable Use a near-soilless gritty mix; allow complete drying between waterings; apply Bti-based drench