What's eating my syagrus romanzoffiana?

Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) is heavily targeted by palm aphids and Ganoderma root rot outdoors, but the primary insect pest is scale. Fruit attracts rats, squirrels, and birds. Spider mites flare in dry conditions. Keeping the area under the canopy clear of rotting fruit reduces rodent and pest pressure significantly.

Heavy honeydew deposits, sooty mold blackening on lower fronds, distorted new growth under heavy pressure High-pressure water spray to dislodge colonies; insecticidal soap or neem oil applied to all frond surfaces; introduce natural predators

Hard brown or white encrustations on petioles and frond bases; progressive yellowing and frond dieback Horticultural oil spray applied comprehensively; scrub heavy infestations; repeat monthly

Stippled, bronzed leaflets with delicate webbing on undersides; most severe during hot, dry periods Regular irrigation to reduce plant stress; neem oil or miticide spray; avoid applying broadspectrum insecticides that kill predatory mites

Fruit gnawed from clusters; gnaw marks on seed husks below the tree Install trunk rat guards; remove fallen fruit promptly; trim overhanging branches that allow roof-rat access