What's eating my tete cycad?

Tete Cycad (Encephalartos pterogonus) shares the pest profile typical of African cycads: armored scale is the number-one threat, creating white encrustations and causing frond yellowing. Mealybugs are a secondary concern in the crown and crevices. Seed weevils can destroy cone crops. Early oil treatments and quarantining new plants prevent spread in collections.

Dense white or grey scale coatings on fronds, petioles, and caudex; leaves yellow and drop when feeding is severe Rinse forcefully with water; apply petroleum-based horticultural oil weekly for 4 weeks; consider systemic imidacloprid drench for established infestations

Cottony white wax masses in protected areas of the crown; sooty mold on honeydew deposits; stunted new growth Dab with alcohol; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7–10 days until eradicated

Larvae consume seed interiors; infested seeds are hollow and nonviable; up to 90% seed loss in heavy attacks Monitor cones closely; destroy infested seeds; apply systemic insecticide preventively at cone formation