What kind of pest does this kind of damage?

[remo]

HI, Guys... Potinara 'clouds creek heavenly scent'...first ever buds-no slime trails so it is not slugs...I don't know what else would chew a hole in the side of a tiny, just forming bud and take off a couple of fresh roots...no other plants are affected. Help! The remo...

[kiwiorchids]

Leaf slug. that would be my pick....those things can squeeze themselves into the smallest spaces. simply because they are so tiny themselves, and they actually dont leave trails very often-the trails are so small so they are hard to see, or get covered by dust etc quicker. The damage on the bud is certainly the work of a slug. And if the plant is inside, the animals metabolism will increase, causing it to be more active, but also decreasing its life span.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

If not a slug, a small mouse could also do damage to the buds. I would put out slug bait.

Cheers,
BD

[catttan]

If this had happened in my country the obvious suspect would be the yellow beetle but I don't think you have them there. Could be some other type of beetle?