What's eating my zamia pumila?

Zamia pumila (coontie) faces two main threats: cycad aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui) and atala butterfly caterpillars (Eumaeus atala). Caterpillars can defoliate plants to the ground, though recovery typically follows. Scale infestations are usually mild on Zamia compared with Cycas. Mealybugs occasionally appear in the crown.

Larvae strip fronds completely, sometimes defoliating the entire plant to ground level; damage looks fatal but the plant usually regrows Handpick caterpillars when colonies are small; tolerate moderate feeding where atala is a conservation priority; plants recover if the crown is intact

White crusty encrustations on fronds and caudex; yellow spots progressing to brown, crispy leaflets Apply horticultural oil (Ultra-Fine or SunSpray) weekly for four weeks; soil drench with dinotefuran (Safari 20SG) for severe infestations

White cottony masses in leaf axils and cone bases; sticky honeydew and sooty mold Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap, repeating every 7–10 days