What's eating my lepidozamia peroffskyana?

Lepidozamia peroffskyana, an Australian native cycad, is most seriously threatened by cycad aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui), which can kill the plant if unchecked. Mealybugs in cone bases and leaf axils are also common. Regular inspection of frond undersides and the crown, especially on indoor or greenhouse specimens, is essential.

White crusty encrustations on frond undersides, caudex, and roots; initial yellow spotting turns to brown, desiccated fronds; fatal if not controlled Apply horticultural oil spray weekly for four weeks; use systemic imidacloprid or dinotefuran soil drench for severe cases; quarantine new cycad acquisitions

Cottony white masses in cone bases, crown, and leaf axils; sap removal weakens growth; honeydew deposits attract ants and sooty mold Dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7–10 days; inspect cones and crown closely as mealybugs hide in crevices

Adults create notched leaf margins; larvae bore into the stem and crown, disrupting nutrient transport and potentially killing the plant Apply systemic insecticide to the crown area; avoid moving infested soil; remove and destroy any heavily infested plant material promptly