What's eating my rzedowski's dioon?

Rzedowski's Dioon (Dioon rzedowskii) is a rare Mexican cycad whose main cultivation threat is scale insects, particularly mealybug-scale complexes and Aulacaspis-type armored scale. Spider mites can flare in hot, dry conditions indoors. Unlike African cycads, Antliarhinus zamiae weevils are not a concern; however, local curculionid weevils may attack cones in native Mexican habitat.

White or grey waxy shields encrusting fronds and stems; leaves yellow, brown, and die back; dense infestations bleach the entire frond surface Spray horticultural oil or neem oil weekly for 4 weeks; rinse plant beforehand; apply systemic imidacloprid drench for established, heavy infestations

Fluffy white wax deposits in the crown, leaf bases, and petiole crevices; honeydew leads to sooty mold; slows new frond expansion Remove colonies manually with isopropyl alcohol; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7–10 days until eradicated

Fine bronze stippling and silvery speckling on leaflets; fine webbing visible in dry indoor conditions; damage worsens rapidly in low humidity Increase humidity; mist foliage regularly; apply neem oil or a dedicated miticide; repeat weekly for 3 weeks