Pest identification
What's eating my miranda's ceratozamia?
Armored scale (Diaspididae)
Signs: Encrusting shells on stems and frond undersides; frond yellowing, stunted growth, honeydew deposits
Control: Scrub with alcohol-dampened brush; apply horticultural oil; systemic imidacloprid drench for heavy outbreaks
Mealybugs (Pseudococcus spp.)
Signs: White cottony clusters at the crown, in axils, and on emerging croziers; sooty mold follows
Control: Remove with alcohol swabs; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate plant and repeat every 10 days
Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Tiny pale flecks and webbing on leaflet surfaces in warm, dry indoor environments
Control: Increase humidity; rinse foliage; apply neem oil or specialist miticide weekly until cleared
Keep miranda's ceratozamia pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Miranda's Ceratozamia pests — FAQ
What is eating my miranda's ceratozamia?
Miranda's Ceratozamia is a forest-understory cycad from Mexico, grown as a prized indoor or greenhouse specimen. Scale insects are the single greatest threat to this genus, attaching to the caudex and frond undersides. Mealybugs hide in the crown, and spider mites emerge in dry conditions. Inspect new croziers as they unfurl.
How do I get rid of armored scale (diaspididae) on miranda's ceratozamia?
Encrusting shells on stems and frond undersides; frond yellowing, stunted growth, honeydew deposits Scrub with alcohol-dampened brush; apply horticultural oil; systemic imidacloprid drench for heavy outbreaks
How do I get rid of mealybugs (pseudococcus spp.) on miranda's ceratozamia?
White cottony clusters at the crown, in axils, and on emerging croziers; sooty mold follows Remove with alcohol swabs; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate plant and repeat every 10 days
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus urticae) on miranda's ceratozamia?
Tiny pale flecks and webbing on leaflet surfaces in warm, dry indoor environments Increase humidity; rinse foliage; apply neem oil or specialist miticide weekly until cleared