What's eating my lithops optica 'rubra'?

Lithops optica 'Rubra' faces the same limited indoor pest range as other living stones. Mealybugs are the primary concern, squeezing into the leaf gap or attacking roots unseen. Fungus gnats breed in overwatered soil. The plant's greatest threat is usually cultural (overwatering), but mealybugs are the top true pest.

Fluffy white deposits in the central fissure or around the base; distorted or sunken leaf bodies Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud; for root mealybugs, drench with diluted neem oil or a systemic insecticide and repot

Root damage from larvae in overly moist organic compost; adult gnats hovering around the pot Let compost dry fully between waterings; use a gritty mineral mix; apply Bti drench (Gnatrol/Bactomos) to kill larvae

Brown or grey waxy bumps on leaf surfaces; sticky honeydew residue; slow decline Scrape off manually with a toothpick; treat with horticultural oil or neem spray; repeat after two weeks