What's eating my whitelock's ceratozamia?

Whitelock's Ceratozamia (Ceratozamia whitelockiana) is a rare Mexican cycad that attracts scale insects and mealybugs in cultivation, particularly when grown in warm indoor or greenhouse conditions. Spider mites appear in dry environments. Fungus gnats can colonise consistently damp potting mix. Keeping the plant in bright, airy conditions significantly reduces pest pressure.

Crusty or waxy bumps on stems, petioles, and leaflets; yellowing fronds and sticky honeydew Manual removal followed by horticultural oil spray; systemic imidacloprid for persistent infestations; repeat every 2 weeks

White cottony deposits at leaf bases and in crown; honeydew leading to sooty mold; poor new growth Spot-treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil spray weekly for 3–4 rounds

Fine webbing and pale stippling on leaflets; bronzed appearance in dry indoor conditions Increase humidity; spray with neem oil or a miticide every 5–7 days until clear