What's eating my canton fishtail palm?

Canton Fishtail Palm grown as a tropical specimen is threatened primarily by spider mites and scale insects indoors or in conservatories, and by palm aphids and caterpillars outdoors in warm climates. The bipinnate fronds' large surface area makes early pest detection easier. Watch the crown and leaflet undersides closely during warm, dry periods.

Bronze stippling and fine webbing across leaflet undersides; severely affected fronds turn brown and drop. Mist foliage regularly; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5–7 days, thoroughly covering leaf undersides.

Waxy brown or grey bumps encrusting petioles and rachis; yellowing fronds and honeydew-coated leaf surfaces. Scrape off manually, treat with horticultural oil spray. For established infestations use a systemic insecticide drench.

Flat, dark colonies on new fronds; honeydew drips cause sooty mould; growing tip may distort. Knock off with a strong water jet. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybird larvae (lacewings) as biocontrol outdoors.

Ragged holes chewed in leaflets; frond skeletonisation in heavy outdoor infestations. Hand-pick egg masses and larvae. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to foliage at first sign of damage.