What's eating my pleasant cone plant?

Pleasant Cone Plant, like other Conophytums, is most at risk from mealybugs hiding in its papery sheath and from root mealybugs in the growing medium. Fungus gnats occasionally attack roots when the plant is watered outside its narrow autumn active period. Inspect the sheath every season before new growth begins.

White waxy residue or cottony mass beneath the dry papery sheath encircling the plant body Peel back old sheath, swab affected areas with 70% isopropyl alcohol, repeat at weekly intervals

Unexplained shriveling during the growing season; white powdery coating visible on roots at repotting Unpot, clean roots thoroughly, drench with neem or imidacloprid solution, repot in fresh gritty mix

Fine root loss from larvae; adult gnats as early warning of excess soil moisture Enforce strict summer dormancy dry period; use Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench for active infestations