Pest identification
What's eating my eastern cape cycad?
Cycad aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui)
Signs: Chalky white masses on fronds, stem, and below-ground parts; leaf yellowing and plant dieback
Control: Horticultural oil sprays every 10–14 days for at least 3 cycles; systemic imidacloprid drench; remove heavily infested fronds
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white clusters at crown, petiole bases, and between leaflets; sticky honeydew and sooty mold
Control: Spot-treat with rubbing alcohol; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly
Soft scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan bumps on petioles and stems; general decline, yellowing fronds
Control: Scrape off physically; apply horticultural oil; systemic insecticide for persistent infestations
Keep eastern cape cycad pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Eastern Cape Cycad pests — FAQ
What is eating my eastern cape cycad?
Eastern Cape Cycad (Encephalartos princeps) is vulnerable to cycad aulacaspis scale, which can colonise fronds, trunk, and roots with alarming speed. Mealybugs settle in the crown and leaf bases. Soft scale may appear on stems. All these sucking insects weaken this endangered cycad — systematic inspection and oil-based treatments are the primary defence.
How do I get rid of cycad aulacaspis scale (aulacaspis yasumatsui) on eastern cape cycad?
Chalky white masses on fronds, stem, and below-ground parts; leaf yellowing and plant dieback Horticultural oil sprays every 10–14 days for at least 3 cycles; systemic imidacloprid drench; remove heavily infested fronds
How do I get rid of mealybugs on eastern cape cycad?
Cottony white clusters at crown, petiole bases, and between leaflets; sticky honeydew and sooty mold Spot-treat with rubbing alcohol; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly
How do I get rid of soft scale insects on eastern cape cycad?
Brown or tan bumps on petioles and stems; general decline, yellowing fronds Scrape off physically; apply horticultural oil; systemic insecticide for persistent infestations