What's eating my titanopsis primosii?

Titanopsis primosii is a South African succulent rarely troubled by pests indoors. Its main threats are mealybugs hiding in the tight leaf rosettes and root mealybugs in the soil. Fungus gnats can appear if the growing medium stays too moist. Good drainage and airflow are your best defenses.

White cottony wax in leaf crevices and at the base; stunted new growth. Dab with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow with a neem oil drench. Isolate the plant.

Plant wilts despite adequate water; white waxy powder visible on roots when unpotted. Unpot, rinse roots clean, let dry 24 hours, then repot in fresh dry grit mix. Drench soil with dilute neem or imidacloprid.

Tiny black flies around the soil; larvae nibble fine roots, slowing growth. Allow soil to dry fully between waterings. Use yellow sticky traps; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench.