What's eating my zombie palm?

Zombie Palm, a spiny clustering palm from Hispaniola, is generally robust but susceptible to scale insects and spider mites in cultivation. Its dense spiny stems can make inspection and treatment difficult. Palm aphids may colonize new fronds. In garden settings, caterpillars occasionally feed on fronds. Regular neem oil application is the most practical all-round defense.

Hard or waxy bumps along leaflets and petioles hidden among the fiber; sooty mold on honeydew deposits Carefully apply horticultural oil or neem oil with a brush or sprayer, penetrating the fiber; repeat every 2 weeks

Stippling and fine webbing on leaflet surfaces, especially in dry indoor or greenhouse conditions Increase ambient humidity; apply neem oil or a miticide spray; mist the foliage regularly when grown under glass

Colonies on new unfurling fronds causing distortion and sticky honeydew deposits Dislodge with water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to new growth flushes; encourage natural predators outdoors