Pest identification
What's eating my agave parryi 'truncata'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy deposits in tight leaf bases and axils; honeydew and ants; yellowing of heavily affected leaves
Control: Swab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray the entire plant with neem oil emulsion; repeat weekly until clear
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown bumps fixed to leaf surfaces; dulled blue-grey colour; sooty mould following honeydew deposits
Control: Physically remove scales; treat with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil every 7-10 days
Agave snout weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus)
Signs: Sudden centre-leaf collapse; foul smell from the base; grubs inside rotting crown tissue
Control: Destroy affected plants; use preventive imidacloprid systemic drench each spring for outdoor-grown specimens
Keep agave parryi 'truncata' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Agave parryi 'Truncata' pests — FAQ
What is eating my agave parryi 'truncata'?
Agave parryi 'Truncata' is a very tough, cold-hardy agave with few indoor pest problems. Mealybugs are the most likely houseplant nuisance, hiding at leaf bases. Scale insects occasionally colonise the firm leaves. Outdoors, the agave snout weevil is the single most dangerous pest for the whole Agave parryi group.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on agave parryi 'truncata'?
White waxy deposits in tight leaf bases and axils; honeydew and ants; yellowing of heavily affected leaves Swab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray the entire plant with neem oil emulsion; repeat weekly until clear
How do I get rid of scale insects on agave parryi 'truncata'?
Hard brown bumps fixed to leaf surfaces; dulled blue-grey colour; sooty mould following honeydew deposits Physically remove scales; treat with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil every 7-10 days
How do I get rid of agave snout weevil (scyphophorus acupunctatus) on agave parryi 'truncata'?
Sudden centre-leaf collapse; foul smell from the base; grubs inside rotting crown tissue Destroy affected plants; use preventive imidacloprid systemic drench each spring for outdoor-grown specimens