What's eating my tillandsia concolor?

Tillandsia concolor, a compact Mexican air plant, shares the same epiphytic pest profile as other Tillandsia: mealybugs hidden between leaf bases are the primary threat, followed by scale and spider mites in low-humidity conditions. It has no soil and no roots to speak of, so root-dwelling pests are not a concern.

White fuzzy colonies wedged between the tight leaf rosette; infested plants show yellowing, browning at the base, and mushy inner leaves. Dab with a cotton swab in 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with a diluted alcohol-water solution (1:3), rinse with distilled water, and dry upside-down within 4 hours.

Hard brownish bumps adhered to leaf surfaces; the plant loses vigour and leaves develop yellowing or brown streaks. Remove manually with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil or neem oil spray at low concentration; isolate from other air plants.

Fine silk webbing between leaves; silvery stippling on the pale green foliage, most evident when indoor air is hot and dry. Mist more frequently and boost humidity; spray with diluted insecticidal soap, ensuring all leaf surfaces are covered. Repeat every 3–4 days.