Pest identification
What's eating my manica cycad?
Armored scale insects (Pseudaulacaspis / Aonidiella spp.)
Signs: White or brown waxy shields on fronds; chlorosis and frond dieback in heavy infestations; plants may look bleached or encrusted
Control: Wash plant with water to dislodge insects; spray horticultural oil weekly for 4 weeks; apply imidacloprid soil drench for persistent infestations
Mealybugs (Pseudococcus longispinus)
Signs: Fluffy white wax in crown, leaf bases, and along midribs; honeydew attracts sooty mold; slows new frond emergence
Control: Remove manually with alcohol-dipped swab; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap solution every 10 days
Seed weevil (Antliarhinus zamiae)
Signs: Weevil larvae bore into seeds inside cones, destroying reproductive potential; externally cones may look intact
Control: Check cones when seeds form; remove and burn infested cones; preventive systemic insecticide at cone initiation
Keep manica cycad pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Manica Cycad pests — FAQ
What is eating my manica cycad?
Manica Cycad (Encephalartos manikensis) grown in tropical or greenhouse settings is most at risk from armored scale insects, which encrust the fronds and cause progressive yellowing. Mealybugs colonize the crown and leaflet bases. In outdoor collections the seed weevil Antliarhinus zamiae may attack cones. Routine inspection and horticultural oil are the key defenses.
How do I get rid of armored scale insects (pseudaulacaspis / aonidiella spp.) on manica cycad?
White or brown waxy shields on fronds; chlorosis and frond dieback in heavy infestations; plants may look bleached or encrusted Wash plant with water to dislodge insects; spray horticultural oil weekly for 4 weeks; apply imidacloprid soil drench for persistent infestations
How do I get rid of mealybugs (pseudococcus longispinus) on manica cycad?
Fluffy white wax in crown, leaf bases, and along midribs; honeydew attracts sooty mold; slows new frond emergence Remove manually with alcohol-dipped swab; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap solution every 10 days
How do I get rid of seed weevil (antliarhinus zamiae) on manica cycad?
Weevil larvae bore into seeds inside cones, destroying reproductive potential; externally cones may look intact Check cones when seeds form; remove and burn infested cones; preventive systemic insecticide at cone initiation