Hindu rope being eaten?

[LikeTiffany]

My Hindu rope plant has bite marks on it and some slight white residue. From what I understand it’s probably mealy bugs or something of that sort, but I can’t for the life of me see any actual insects on the plant or in the soil. It is also affecting my surrounding plants, although on this plant specifically the bite marks are more lines rather than circular. What should I do?? I’ve already been isolating my plants from each other since spotting this within the last couple days.

 

[Marck]

Greetings, welcome to the Forums.

The injuries on your Indian Rope Plant (Hoya carnosa 'Compacta') would not be caused by mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) or other sucking insects. You would also see signs of such insects if this was an active infestation. Some of the damage might be caused by a chewing or rasping pest, such as a caterpillar or snail, but some of the other damage appears to be incidental growth injuries. Visit the plant at night with a flashlight and you might find the pest, if it is still around. Until the pest presence and identity is confirmed, just keep observing. Take special note of fresh damage immediately after it occurred and try to determine the cause of that.

 

[LikeTiffany]

Thank you so much! The plant did have 3 TINY brown snails on it when it arrived. I haven’t seen anything else but it looks like something is definitely munching a hole in the center so I’ll keep an eye out.