What's eating my tillandsia tricolor?

Tillandsia tricolor is an air plant that, like most tillandsias, faces greatest risk from mealybugs hiding between its leaves and scale insects on leaf bases. Thrips occasionally rasp at leaves in warm, dry indoor environments. Good air circulation after soaking prevents the damp conditions that favour pests.

White, waxy fluff tucked between leaves at the base; plant loses vigour and leaves turn pale Treat with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with diluted neem oil and dry in a bright, airy spot

Hard bumps on leaf midribs and bases; sticky honeydew followed by grey sooty mould Remove manually with an alcohol-dampened toothbrush; apply horticultural oil spray to kill crawlers

Silver streaking or scarring on leaf surfaces; tiny dark frass specks visible on closer inspection Spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad; blue sticky traps help monitor and reduce adult populations