Pest identification
What's eating my agave americana 'mediopicta alba'?
Mealybugs
Signs: Visible white cottony deposits in the tightly packed leaf bases; honeydew coating; slow growth and yellowing
Control: Use alcohol-dipped swabs to reach deep into rosette crevices; drench with neem oil solution; repeat every 7–10 days for a month
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown bumps adhering to leaf surfaces; yellowing and sooty mould where honeydew accumulates
Control: Physically scrape off with a soft brush; apply isopropyl alcohol; follow up with neem oil monthly
Agave snout weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus)
Signs: Sudden wilting and collapse; mushy, foul-smelling centre; larvae visible on dissection
Control: Inspect for adult beetles; destroy infested plants; use preventive imidacloprid soil drench in at-risk outdoor growing situations
Keep agave americana 'mediopicta alba' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats agave americana — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common agave americana 'mediopicta alba' problems & fixes
- Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba' watering schedule
- Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba' light requirements
- Full agave americana 'mediopicta alba' care guide
Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba' pests — FAQ
What is eating my agave americana 'mediopicta alba'?
Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba' faces the same pest threats as the species. Indoors, mealybugs are the chief problem, wedging themselves into the leaf bases where they are hard to reach. Outdoors in warm climates, the agave snout weevil poses a serious risk. Scale insects appear occasionally on older leaves.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on agave americana 'mediopicta alba'?
Visible white cottony deposits in the tightly packed leaf bases; honeydew coating; slow growth and yellowing Use alcohol-dipped swabs to reach deep into rosette crevices; drench with neem oil solution; repeat every 7–10 days for a month
How do I get rid of scale insects on agave americana 'mediopicta alba'?
Hard brown bumps adhering to leaf surfaces; yellowing and sooty mould where honeydew accumulates Physically scrape off with a soft brush; apply isopropyl alcohol; follow up with neem oil monthly
How do I get rid of agave snout weevil (scyphophorus acupunctatus) on agave americana 'mediopicta alba'?
Sudden wilting and collapse; mushy, foul-smelling centre; larvae visible on dissection Inspect for adult beetles; destroy infested plants; use preventive imidacloprid soil drench in at-risk outdoor growing situations