What's eating my karoo cycad?

Karoo Cycad (Encephalartos lehmannii) is primarily threatened by cycad scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui), which can coat stems and fronds in white armor and rapidly decline the plant. Mealybugs are a common secondary pest. Because this South African cycad is slow-growing and heavily protected, any pest outbreak demands immediate, thorough action.

White crust of armored scale on leaves, stems, and even roots; severe yellowing, frond death, and plant loss if untreated. Spray all plant surfaces — including beneath fronds and at the root collar — with horticultural oil; repeat every 10–14 days; use systemic imidacloprid drench for severe cases.

White cottony masses around the crown and leaf bases; sap loss and sooty mold on honeydew deposits. Treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs followed by weekly insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays for several weeks.

Brown or gray bumps along frond rachises and stem; localized yellowing and reduced vigor. Manually scrape off and apply horticultural oil; monitor monthly and re-treat at the first sign of return.