What's eating my miniature cone plant?

Miniature Cone Plant is an exceptionally small Conophytum most threatened by mealybugs sheltering in the papery sheath and root mealybugs in the gritty growing medium. Its tiny body means a moderate infestation can kill it quickly. Check under sheaths each autumn before the growing season begins and inspect roots annually.

Cottony white residue inside or beneath the dried papery sheath; plant body wrinkles and fails to fill out Carefully peel dried sheath, apply 70% isopropyl alcohol to affected spots with a fine brush; repeat weekly

White powdery coating on roots; plant collapses or refuses to grow despite correct watering in autumn Unpot in early autumn, treat roots with neem drench or imidacloprid, repot in fresh dry mineral mix

Root feeding by larvae; swarming adults indicate dangerously wet soil for a dormant-summer species Withhold all water in summer; top-dress with coarse grit; use yellow sticky traps and Bti drench