What's eating my mombasa cycad?

Mombasa Cycad (Encephalartos hildebrandtii) is a large, robust East African species most threatened by armored scale insects in cultivation and outdoor tropical settings. Mealybugs colonize the sizable crown. Spider mites can emerge in hot, dry conditions. Seed weevils are a concern where seeds are produced for conservation. Horticultural oil is the primary treatment.

White or grey-brown waxy encrustations on fronds, petioles, and trunk; fronds yellow and brown, and drop under sustained feeding Scrub visible scale off with a brush; spray horticultural oil weekly for 4 weeks; apply systemic imidacloprid drench for large specimens with heavy infestations

Fluffy white wax masses at leaflet bases, midribs, and in the crown; sooty mold on honeydew; impaired new frond expansion Spot-treat with alcohol; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap every 10 days; improve airflow around the crown

Fine bronze stippling on leaflets; fine webbing on undersides in dry conditions; damage worsens rapidly in hot, low-humidity environments Increase humidity; apply neem oil or a miticide; repeat weekly for 3 weeks; avoid overhead heat stress