Pest identification
What's eating my mpumalanga cycad?
Cycad aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui)
Signs: White powdery scale coating on fronds, trunk, and roots; frond yellowing then death; can kill entire plant
Control: Multiple horticultural oil spray applications 10–14 days apart; imidacloprid soil drench; check and treat roots during repotting
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony masses at crown and leaf bases; sooty mold from honeydew; weak new growth
Control: Manual removal with alcohol swabs; neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 7–10 days
Soft scale insects
Signs: Brown waxy bumps on stems; honeydew and sooty mold; gradual decline in plant vigour
Control: Scrape off with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil; use systemic insecticide if infestation persists
Keep mpumalanga cycad pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Mpumalanga Cycad pests — FAQ
What is eating my mpumalanga cycad?
Mpumalanga Cycad (Encephalartos inopinus) is a critically endangered South African cycad vulnerable to cycad aulacaspis scale, which can devastate plants rapidly. Mealybugs and soft scale colonise stems and frond bases. Spider mites may appear indoors in dry conditions. Vigilant monitoring and prompt treatment are vital given this species' extreme rarity.
How do I get rid of cycad aulacaspis scale (aulacaspis yasumatsui) on mpumalanga cycad?
White powdery scale coating on fronds, trunk, and roots; frond yellowing then death; can kill entire plant Multiple horticultural oil spray applications 10–14 days apart; imidacloprid soil drench; check and treat roots during repotting
How do I get rid of mealybugs on mpumalanga cycad?
Cottony masses at crown and leaf bases; sooty mold from honeydew; weak new growth Manual removal with alcohol swabs; neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 7–10 days
How do I get rid of soft scale insects on mpumalanga cycad?
Brown waxy bumps on stems; honeydew and sooty mold; gradual decline in plant vigour Scrape off with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil; use systemic insecticide if infestation persists