What's eating my sabal bermudana?

Sabal bermudana (Bermuda palmetto) is susceptible to palmetto scale — which devastated Bermuda populations when accidentally introduced — and to palm weevils including Rhynchophorus palmarum. Bruchid beetles attack seeds. Scale management is critical for this species given its documented historic vulnerability to severe scale infestations.

Armored scale forms dense colonies on fronds and petioles; causes severe frond browning, dieback, and can kill palms at high density — historically devastating in Bermuda Apply horticultural oil at no more than 2% concentration (higher rates damage fronds); systemic insecticides for severe infestations; introduce biological control agents where available

Adults lay eggs in crown tissue; larvae bore through the stem, causing frond wilting, internal rot, and eventual crown collapse Avoid wounding the palm (pruning wounds attract ovipositing females); use pheromone traps to monitor; systemic imidacloprid drenches as a preventive in high-risk areas

Larvae consume seeds from inside, reducing viable seed set Collect ripe seeds promptly and store sealed; no action needed for established ornamental specimens