What's eating my australian cycad?

Australian Cycad (Cycas media) is most seriously threatened by the cycad blue butterfly caterpillar in Australia, which defoliates new flush growth rapidly. Scale insects — particularly cycad scale — are the chronic indoor and outdoor pest. In gardens, feral animals may dig at the crown. Act fast when new fronds flush as that is when caterpillars strike.

Larvae consume new leaflets as fronds unfurl, leaving skeletonized or completely stripped new growth Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to new flush before leaflets harden; hand-pick caterpillars; monitor carefully at each flush

Dense white armored scale covering undersides of leaflets and stem; fronds yellow and die; can kill plants Apply horticultural oil thoroughly to all surfaces; introduce parasitic wasps (Coccobius fulvus) for biological control; repeat treatment every 3 weeks

White cottony masses at crozier bases and leaf axils; frond yellowing and wilting in heavy infestations Remove mechanically; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; drench soil with systemic insecticide for persistent infestations