Pest identification
What's eating my dark green ceratozamia?
Scale insects (armoured and soft scale)
Signs: Hard or waxy bumps on stems and leaflets; yellowing, stunted growth, and honeydew deposits
Control: Scrape off manually; apply horticultural oil or systemic insecticide; repeat applications to break life cycle
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white colonies at crown, petiole bases, and between leaflets; sooty mold and weakened growth
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until eliminated
Spider mites
Signs: Stippled, bronzed leaflets and fine webbing, particularly in low humidity
Control: Boost humidity; rinse foliage with water; apply neem oil or miticide every 5–7 days
Fungus gnats (larvae)
Signs: Larvae damage fine roots in waterlogged soil; adult gnats are a nuisance
Control: Allow soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) drench
Keep dark green ceratozamia pest-free
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Dark Green Ceratozamia pests — FAQ
What is eating my dark green ceratozamia?
Dark Green Ceratozamia (Ceratozamia fuscoviridis) is a shade-adapted Mexican cycad most threatened indoors by scale insects and mealybugs, which colonise the crown, stem, and leaflet midribs. Spider mites attack in dry air. Fungus gnats may infest moist potting media. Regular inspection and good airflow help prevent most infestations.
How do I get rid of scale insects (armoured and soft scale) on dark green ceratozamia?
Hard or waxy bumps on stems and leaflets; yellowing, stunted growth, and honeydew deposits Scrape off manually; apply horticultural oil or systemic insecticide; repeat applications to break life cycle
How do I get rid of mealybugs on dark green ceratozamia?
Cottony white colonies at crown, petiole bases, and between leaflets; sooty mold and weakened growth Dab with isopropyl alcohol; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until eliminated
How do I get rid of spider mites on dark green ceratozamia?
Stippled, bronzed leaflets and fine webbing, particularly in low humidity Boost humidity; rinse foliage with water; apply neem oil or miticide every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of fungus gnats (larvae) on dark green ceratozamia?
Larvae damage fine roots in waterlogged soil; adult gnats are a nuisance Allow soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) drench