Pest identification
What's eating my miquel's cycad?
Cycad aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui)
Signs: Thick white scale crust on fronds and caudex; frond yellowing, dieback and eventual plant death if untreated
Control: Horticultural oil sprays applied to all surfaces; soil drench with systemic insecticide for root-infesting populations
Cycad blue butterfly caterpillars
Signs: Emerging flush fronds chewed to stubs before they can harden
Control: Apply Bt spray to new growth at flush; monitor closely in spring when adults are active
Wallabies / possums
Signs: Fronds browsed off at the base; caudex scratched or damaged by foraging
Control: Install wire cage guards around young plants; use possum-repellent sprays on fronds
Keep miquel's cycad pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Miquel's Cycad pests — FAQ
What is eating my miquel's cycad?
Miquel's Cycad (Macrozamia miquelii) faces its biggest threat from cycad scale insects and cycad blue butterfly caterpillars in outdoor Queensland gardens. Mealybugs target plants kept in containers indoors. Wallabies and possums will graze on fronds in unfenced garden plantings, causing significant damage to slow-growing specimens.
How do I get rid of cycad aulacaspis scale (aulacaspis yasumatsui) on miquel's cycad?
Thick white scale crust on fronds and caudex; frond yellowing, dieback and eventual plant death if untreated Horticultural oil sprays applied to all surfaces; soil drench with systemic insecticide for root-infesting populations
How do I get rid of cycad blue butterfly caterpillars on miquel's cycad?
Emerging flush fronds chewed to stubs before they can harden Apply Bt spray to new growth at flush; monitor closely in spring when adults are active
How do I get rid of wallabies / possums on miquel's cycad?
Fronds browsed off at the base; caudex scratched or damaged by foraging Install wire cage guards around young plants; use possum-repellent sprays on fronds