What's eating my lithops lesliei?

Lithops Lesliei is most at risk from root mealybugs attacking its taproot, often undetected until the plant fails to recover after watering. Surface mealybugs in the fissure and fungus gnats from excess moisture are secondary threats. Annual bare-root inspection and a fast-draining mineral mix are the best long-term defences.

White waxy coating on taproot; plant stays shrunken despite watering; roots may begin to rot if infestation is severe Unpot during dormancy, wash roots, soak in diluted insecticidal soap, dry for several days, repot in sterile mineral mix

White fluff in the central leaf fissure or at the stem base; trapped moisture at the fissure increases rot risk Treat with a fine brush dipped in isopropyl alcohol; keep plant dry; remove and discard heavily infested specimens

Larvae chew fine surface roots when compost retains too much moisture; adults indicate waterlogged or overly organic soil Use a fast-draining mineral-heavy mix; allow soil to remain dry for weeks at a time; yellow sticky traps for adults