What's eating my schmitz's cycad?

Schmitz's Cycad (Encephalartos schmitzii) in cultivation is most threatened by armored scale insects, which colonize fronds and can cause complete bleaching under heavy pressure. Mealybugs are a secondary concern, particularly in warm greenhouse conditions. Seed weevils attack cones where this critically rare cycad is grown for conservation. Oil-based sprays are the primary defense.

Hard waxy grey or white shields encrusting fronds and petioles; progressive yellowing and frond dieback; roots may also be infested Scrub off with a soft brush, then spray horticultural oil weekly for 4 weeks; apply systemic imidacloprid as a soil drench for severe cases

Fluffy white wax clusters in crevices and at leaflet bases; sticky honeydew promotes black sooty mold on fronds Spot-treat colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray insecticidal soap or dilute neem oil every 7–10 days

Larvae develop inside seeds, destroying viability; in rare conservation specimens this represents significant reproductive loss Monitor cones; remove infested seeds promptly and destroy; apply preventive systemic insecticide when cones form