Pest identification
What's eating my few-leaflet zamia?
Scale insects
Signs: White or brown armored scale encrusting leaflets and petioles; frond yellowing and dieback
Control: Horticultural oil spray to all surfaces; systemic soil drench if caudex is affected; repeat every 3–4 weeks
Eumaeus moth caterpillars (Eumaeus spp.)
Signs: Orange gregarious caterpillars strip new crozier fronds entirely, leaving bare rachis
Control: Hand-pick and destroy caterpillar clusters; Bt spray at frond flush; monitor closely in warm months
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits in leaf axils and crown; honeydew, sooty mold and stunted new flush
Control: Neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; isopropyl alcohol spot treatment; isolate affected specimens
Keep few-leaflet zamia pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Few-leaflet Zamia pests — FAQ
What is eating my few-leaflet zamia?
Few-leaflet Zamia (Zamia paucijuga) from Mexico and Central America is most threatened by scale insects and Eumaeus moth caterpillars in cultivation. Mealybugs colonize the crown. In outdoor tropical plantings, iguanas and other lizards may nibble emerging fronds. Spider mites can establish on indoor or greenhouse specimens in low-humidity conditions.
How do I get rid of scale insects on few-leaflet zamia?
White or brown armored scale encrusting leaflets and petioles; frond yellowing and dieback Horticultural oil spray to all surfaces; systemic soil drench if caudex is affected; repeat every 3–4 weeks
How do I get rid of eumaeus moth caterpillars (eumaeus spp.) on few-leaflet zamia?
Orange gregarious caterpillars strip new crozier fronds entirely, leaving bare rachis Hand-pick and destroy caterpillar clusters; Bt spray at frond flush; monitor closely in warm months
How do I get rid of mealybugs on few-leaflet zamia?
Cottony white deposits in leaf axils and crown; honeydew, sooty mold and stunted new flush Neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; isopropyl alcohol spot treatment; isolate affected specimens