Pest identification
What's eating my agave toumeyana?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy fluff in leaf axils and at the base; sticky honeydew residue; yellowing of affected tissue
Control: Dab individual colonies with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray to the whole plant; repeat weekly for 3-4 weeks
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan dome-shaped bumps fixed to leaves; plant looks dull and may yellow; honeydew leads to sooty mould
Control: Scrape off scales with a soft toothbrush; wipe leaves with rubbing alcohol; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days
Agave snout weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus)
Signs: Centre leaves collapse suddenly; base of plant turns mushy and black; adult weevils and grubs found inside rotting tissue
Control: No cure once larvae are inside — remove and destroy the plant; prevent with systemic imidacloprid soil drench in spring for at-risk outdoor specimens
Keep agave toumeyana pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Agave toumeyana pests — FAQ
What is eating my agave toumeyana?
Agave toumeyana is rarely troubled indoors, but agave snout weevils are the most serious threat in warmer regions. Mealybugs shelter in leaf axils, and scale insects cling to leaf surfaces. Scale and mealybugs are the pests you are most likely to encounter on a potted specimen.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on agave toumeyana?
White waxy fluff in leaf axils and at the base; sticky honeydew residue; yellowing of affected tissue Dab individual colonies with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray to the whole plant; repeat weekly for 3-4 weeks
How do I get rid of scale insects on agave toumeyana?
Brown or tan dome-shaped bumps fixed to leaves; plant looks dull and may yellow; honeydew leads to sooty mould Scrape off scales with a soft toothbrush; wipe leaves with rubbing alcohol; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days
How do I get rid of agave snout weevil (scyphophorus acupunctatus) on agave toumeyana?
Centre leaves collapse suddenly; base of plant turns mushy and black; adult weevils and grubs found inside rotting tissue No cure once larvae are inside — remove and destroy the plant; prevent with systemic imidacloprid soil drench in spring for at-risk outdoor specimens