What's eating my licuala orbicularis?

Licuala orbicularis (Orbicular Fan Palm) is a rare rainforest houseplant that demands high humidity and is most troubled by spider mites when air is too dry. Mealybugs and scale insects can colonise the distinctive round fronds. Fungus gnats breed in waterlogged soil. As a showpiece plant, weekly inspection is essential to catch problems early.

Tiny yellow speckling across the elegant round leaves; fine webbing on undersides; leaves dull and decline Maintain humidity above 60%; mist daily or use a humidifier; apply neem oil spray weekly until clear

White fluffy deposits at frond bases and along veins; growth slows; sticky honeydew residue Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swab; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil fortnightly

Waxy bumps on petioles and frond undersides; sooty mould where honeydew drips Scrape off manually; spray horticultural oil thoroughly at 10-day intervals

Larvae damage fine roots in overwatered soil; adults swarm around the plant when disturbed Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings; apply Bti nematodes or drench; use yellow sticky traps