What's eating my agave parryi var. truncata?

Agave parryi var. truncata (Artichoke Agave) has the same pest vulnerabilities as the species. Indoors, mealybugs hiding between the chunky, tightly packed leaves are the primary concern. Outdoors, the agave snout weevil is the most serious threat. Its thick, succulent leaves and waxy cuticle provide strong natural resistance to most other pests.

White waxy colonies between leaf bases; honeydew residue; outer leaves pale and wilt Probe leaf crevices with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs; treat with neem oil solution every 7–10 days; continue for at least a month to catch hatchlings

Dramatic sudden collapse of the whole rosette; soft, brown, foul-smelling core containing larvae Inspect regularly for adult weevils; destroy infested plants; apply preventive systemic soil drench in high-risk outdoor settings

Hard waxy bumps on leaf surfaces; patches of yellowing; sooty mould on honeydew Scrape manually; treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs; apply neem oil spray monthly as a preventive