What's eating my titanopsis schwantesii?

Titanopsis schwantesii, a compact limestone-mimicking succulent, is susceptible to mealybugs lodged between its warty leaves and to root mealybugs when overwatered. Fungus gnats occasionally colonize excessively damp grit. Overwatering is the root cause of most pest problems — keep it very dry.

Fluffy white deposits tucked between leaf pairs; sticky honeydew and sooty mold may follow. Remove manually with alcohol-tipped cotton swab; spray with diluted neem oil. Repeat every 7–10 days until clear.

Unexplained wilting and decline; white cottony residue on root zone when inspected. Unpot, wash roots, air-dry thoroughly, and repot in fresh sharply-drained mineral mix. Drench with systemic insecticide if infestation is heavy.

Adult gnats hovering over the pot; larvae damage fine roots causing slow decline. Let substrate dry out completely; top-dress with coarse grit to deter egg-laying. Apply Bti (e.g., Gnatrol) as a drench.