What's eating my sago palm?

Sago palm is most seriously threatened by cycad aulacaspis scale — an armoured scale that can kill a plant if untreated. Mealybugs and spider mites are secondary pests indoors. Outdoors, Asian cycad scale has devastated wild and ornamental cycads globally. Early detection and repeat horticultural oil treatments are critical to saving an infested plant.

White crust of armoured scale insects covering fronds, trunk, and even roots; fronds yellow and die; plant can be killed. Remove heavily infested fronds; apply horticultural oil every 7–10 days for multiple cycles; systemic imidacloprid as a soil drench for severe infestations; inspect roots.

White cottony fluff at the crown and base of leaflets; yellowing fronds; sticky honeydew. Remove manually; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat weekly; drench soil if root mealybugs are suspected.

Pale stippling on leaflets; fine webbing; fronds take on a dusty, dull appearance. Wipe fronds with a damp cloth; increase humidity; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil.