What's eating my encephalartos lebomboensis?

Encephalartos lebomboensis, a South African cycad, is most threatened by cycad scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui), which can colonise all frond surfaces and kill plants rapidly. Mealybugs and false spider mites are secondary pests. Quarantine new plants, inspect undersides of every leaflet, and act immediately with systemic treatment if scale is found.

Thick white encrustations on leaflet undersides and stems; fronds turn yellow then brown; plant vigor collapses Soil-drench with imidacloprid; simultaneously spray fronds with horticultural oil to suffocate crawlers; remove and bag infested fronds; repeat monthly

Cottony white colonies at leaf bases and in the crown; leaf yellowing and stunted growth Physically remove with rubbing alcohol; follow with neem oil spray on all plant surfaces; repeat every 10 days

Leaflets develop a dull, grayish or bronzed surface; stippling visible under magnification Apply miticide or neem oil; increase humidity around the plant; ensure adequate irrigation to reduce plant stress