Pest identification
What's eating my cycas panzhihuaensis?
Cycad aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui)
Signs: White armoured scale carpets fronds, stem, and crown; leaves yellow and die back; plant can be killed
Control: Apply horticultural oil spray covering all surfaces including base and exposed roots; systemic insecticide drench for heavy infestations; repeat every 2 weeks
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white clusters at crown, leaf axils, and base of fronds; honeydew, sooty mould, slow growth
Control: Remove with alcohol-dampened cotton swab; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap fortnightly
Scale insects (soft scale)
Signs: Brown waxy bumps on fronds and stems; yellowing, reduced vigour, and sooty mould
Control: Scrape off manually; apply horticultural oil spray at 10-day intervals for 3 treatment cycles
Keep cycas panzhihuaensis pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Cycas Panzhihuaensis pests — FAQ
What is eating my cycas panzhihuaensis?
Cycas panzhihuaensis (Panzhihua Cycad) can be attacked by cycad aulacaspis scale, the most damaging cycad pest globally, as well as mealybugs and soft scale insects. Outdoors in warmer climates, cycad blue butterfly caterpillars target new leaf flushes. This cold-hardy Chinese cycad is tough but slow-growing, so pest damage is disproportionately harmful.
How do I get rid of cycad aulacaspis scale (aulacaspis yasumatsui) on cycas panzhihuaensis?
White armoured scale carpets fronds, stem, and crown; leaves yellow and die back; plant can be killed Apply horticultural oil spray covering all surfaces including base and exposed roots; systemic insecticide drench for heavy infestations; repeat every 2 weeks
How do I get rid of mealybugs on cycas panzhihuaensis?
Cottony white clusters at crown, leaf axils, and base of fronds; honeydew, sooty mould, slow growth Remove with alcohol-dampened cotton swab; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap fortnightly
How do I get rid of scale insects (soft scale) on cycas panzhihuaensis?
Brown waxy bumps on fronds and stems; yellowing, reduced vigour, and sooty mould Scrape off manually; apply horticultural oil spray at 10-day intervals for 3 treatment cycles