I certainly don't want to confuse the issue here but the word sticky throws up a red flag for me. I always associate sticky with mealy bugs and that is because they secrete a sticky residue that ants love and have been known to farm aphids and mealy bugs for this food. In addition, I see something that appears white on the leaves that looks like the remains of the cocoon that mealy bugs make.
Some varieties of mites are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye but can be more visible under a hand lens.
I recently had an experience with mites that resulted in a good learning exercise. I have an exotic succulent, Avonia quinaria, that is highly prized by collectors and a plant that I have had for a long time. I noticed the development of a pale color that is not usual so I got a hairspray bottle (because it makes a nice fog) and added 70% alcohol and misted it. In the bright light of the morning sun in the greenhouse, I could instantly see that the plant was covered with webbing, previously not visible until I sprayed it. I gave the plant a generous spraying, enough to break through the webbing and knock it off. The plant is starting to look healthy again.
If you do spray your plant with alcohol, you should look for the webbing. If it is mites, they can remain dormant for long periods so keep an eye on your other plants. In any event, mites or mealy bugs, the alcohol should kill both of them but don't forget to follow up in a couple of weeks.
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