What's eating my ceratozamia mexicana?

Ceratozamia mexicana, a Mexican forest cycad cultivated as a tropical specimen, is most at risk from cycad scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui), which smothers leaflets and can kill the plant. Mealybugs also colonize crowns and petioles. Inspect new plants on arrival, quarantine them, and apply a systemic drench plus horticultural oil at first sign of infestation.

White waxy encrustations covering undersides of leaflets and stems; rapid frond yellowing and decline Apply imidacloprid soil drench; follow immediately with horticultural oil spray on all surfaces; remove damaged fronds; repeat every 4–6 weeks

Fluffy white masses in the crown and at petiole bases; stunted new leaflet flush; sooty mold where honeydew drips Dab with alcohol-soaked swabs; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 7–10 days until clear

Silvery speckling on leaflets, especially in low-humidity indoor settings; fine webbing on leaf undersides Increase air humidity; rinse foliage; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray on 3-day intervals for 2 weeks