What's eating my agave zebra?

Agave zebra is a striking species with few natural enemies when grown as a houseplant. Mealybugs are the primary indoor pest, nestling between stiff leaves. Scale insects occasionally cling to leaf surfaces. The agave snout weevil is the most feared threat for any agave kept in a warm outdoor setting.

White woolly deposits tucked into leaf axils; honeydew stickiness; yellowing tissue if infestation spreads Apply isopropyl alcohol directly to colonies; treat the whole plant with neem oil spray; isolate from other succulents and repeat weekly

Brown dome-like bumps adhering to leaf surface; faded colour; honeydew-fed sooty mould Scrub off with a soft toothbrush; wipe down with alcohol; follow up with insecticidal soap on a 7-10 day cycle

Core of the rosette turns black and mushy; outer leaves fall away; larvae tunnelling into the base Remove and bin the plant; prevent by applying imidacloprid drench to outdoor agaves annually in early spring