What's eating my super kabuto star cactus?

Super Kabuto Star Cactus (Astrophytum asterias 'Super Kabuto') is a highly collectible, spineless houseplant cactus with a flat disc-shaped body. Its smooth surface and absence of spines give scale insects and mealybugs easy access. Root mealybugs often go undetected until the plant declines. This is a high-value specimen — inspect monthly and act at first sign.

Hard rounded bumps on the flat ribbed surface, often mistaken for the natural white areole dots; honeydew residue Examine closely under a magnifying glass; remove with a fine toothpick and alcohol swab; apply dilute horticultural oil

Cottony white deposits in the rib grooves or central crown, sap loss, puckering of the flat body Isopropyl alcohol on a fine cotton swab in each rib; neem oil spray; isolate immediately from other specimens

Gradual unexplained shrinkage and poor growth, white waxy residue on roots; often diagnosed only at repotting Annual inspection at repotting; treat with systemic insecticide drench; repot in very well-draining cactus mix