What's eating my agave parrasana?

Agave parrasana, the cabbage-head agave, forms a tight, globe-like rosette that can harbour mealybugs deep within its dense leaf arrangement. Agave snout weevil is the primary lethal threat. Its compact form makes pests harder to spot and treat. Use a torch to inspect inside the crown and treat early with contact insecticides.

Larval tunnelling causes the innermost leaves to collapse and the crown to rot with a distinctive smell Destroy affected plants; preventive systemic drench in spring; avoid wounding leaves which attracts egg-laying females.

White waxy deposits buried deep inside the tight rosette; visible only when the outer leaves are pulled aside Drench the rosette with diluted neem oil; use an alcohol swab on accessible colonies; repeat weekly.

Flat, circular shields on the outer leaves; yellow blotching around each scale Scrape off with a soft brush; spray with horticultural oil ensuring good coverage of all leaf surfaces.