What's eating my rhinephyllum broomii?

Rhinephyllum broomii, a rare South African mesemb with bumpy, pebble-like leaves, shares the pest vulnerabilities of other small indoor succulents. Mealybugs are the most likely coloniser, hiding in its creviced leaf surfaces. Root mealybugs are a risk in very dry conditions. Scale insects occasionally attack. Vigilant monthly inspections catch problems early.

White powdery or cottony patches between leaves or at the soil line; sap-feeding causes slow yellowing and shrivelling Spot-treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray with neem oil solution; quarantine plant immediately

Plant fails to plump up after watering; white waxy residue found on roots and the inside of the pot Remove all old soil, wash roots, dip in systemic insecticide solution, let dry, replant in fresh sterile gritty mix

Small brown or tan shell-like bumps on stems and leaf undersides; yellowing foliage and sticky honeydew deposits Scrape off scale with a soft toothbrush; dab with alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray to smother remaining crawlers