What's eating my mulanje cycad?

Mulanje Cycad (Encephalartos gratus) is vulnerable to the same pests that affect all cultivated African cycads: armored scale insects top the list, causing white frond encrustations and yellowing. Mealybugs colonize warm, sheltered spots on the crown. Seed weevils (Antliarhinus zamiae) are a major threat to seed production. Treat scale with repeated oil applications.

Brown circular shields or white crusts on leaf surfaces and trunk; chlorotic spotting progresses to frond browning and collapse Prune infested fronds; spray horticultural or fish-oil emulsion weekly for 4 weeks; follow up with systemic drench for heavy infestations

White mealy masses at leaf bases and in the apical crown; honeydew and sooty mold; distorted emerging leaves Manual removal with alcohol; neem oil or insecticidal soap spray on a 10-day schedule

Larvae bore into developing seeds in female cones, hollowing them out; seeds fail entirely; cone may look intact externally Inspect cones regularly; remove and destroy affected seeds; preventive systemic insecticide application at cone emergence