Pest identification
What's eating my zamia palm?
Cycad aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui)
Signs: White armored scale encrusting leaflets and trunk; frond bleaching and plant decline
Control: Thorough horticultural oil application to all surfaces including the caudex; repeat every 3–4 weeks; remove and destroy worst fronds
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white clusters at leaf bases; sticky honeydew promoting sooty mold growth
Control: Neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; isolate container plants; isopropyl alcohol spot treatment
Wallabies / kangaroos
Signs: Fronds nipped off, slow regrowth cycle means browsing damage persists for years
Control: Wire cage or star-picket guards around young specimens; fencing of planting areas
Keep zamia palm pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Zamia Palm pests — FAQ
What is eating my zamia palm?
Zamia Palm (Macrozamia riedlei) is a West Australian cycad primarily damaged by cycad scale insects and leaf-chewing caterpillars outdoors. Mealybugs colonize container plants. Kangaroos and wallabies in its native Southwest Australian floristic region may browse fronds, and introduced pests like scale are a growing concern in cultivation.
How do I get rid of cycad aulacaspis scale (aulacaspis yasumatsui) on zamia palm?
White armored scale encrusting leaflets and trunk; frond bleaching and plant decline Thorough horticultural oil application to all surfaces including the caudex; repeat every 3–4 weeks; remove and destroy worst fronds
How do I get rid of mealybugs on zamia palm?
Cottony white clusters at leaf bases; sticky honeydew promoting sooty mold growth Neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; isolate container plants; isopropyl alcohol spot treatment
How do I get rid of wallabies / kangaroos on zamia palm?
Fronds nipped off, slow regrowth cycle means browsing damage persists for years Wire cage or star-picket guards around young specimens; fencing of planting areas