cycas revoluta Pest or Plague ID on Cycas Revoluta (HELP)!

[Dwarf Fan]

This is my C. Revolta in my yard, I definitely need some help with, it first off what is it afflicted with and how do I get rid of it (preferably without chemicals)?

Second, I normally don’t look very closely at it because I stopped watering it because I felt I was overwatering (leaves/fronds started to curl where I was spraying it with the hose).  Watering advise would also be much appreciated! 🫤
 

As far as it’s history I know it has been in ground at least 2+ years and was placed here somewhat grown already and it survived the previous homeowner who according to neighbors “never watered it.”

Edited July 25, 2023 by Dwarf Fan

[Joe NC]

https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/publications/the-cycad-aulacaspis-scale-a-pest-of-sago-palms-in-texas-2/

[GregVirginia7]

Try an insecticidal soap? Hit it topside and underside, trunk and all…according to directions of course…That’s really a massive infestation for sure…I’d avoid top watering and concentrate on ground watering as a rule…I try to keep palm crowns as dry as possible and think maybe cycads want to be kept the same…I have a Chamaerops that was covered like that and after about 3 weeks of consistent care, the infestation was defeated and now it’s worst enemy is me (got lazy with winter protection this past winter) 😂

[Dwarf Fan]

3 hours ago, Joe NC said:

https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/publications/the-cycad-aulacaspis-scale-a-pest-of-sago-palms-in-texas-2/

Looks like some Organic Horticultural Oil is now on my shopping list. 
 

Thanks for the Asian Cycad Scale ID Joe much appreciated! 

Edited July 25, 2023 by Dwarf Fan

[Jimhardy]

Try some H202...haha just kidding.

 

You can use coffee grounds and/or spray coffee on it to kill off

the scale, be careful spraying any type of oil on it if its in/or gets full sun as

this can suffocate the leaves.

[Dwarf Fan]

1 hour ago, Jimhardy said:

Try some H202...haha just kidding.

 

You can use coffee grounds and/or spray coffee on it to kill off

the scale, be careful spraying any type of oil on it if its in/or gets full sun as

this can suffocate the leaves.

Okay that is easy enough there is always plenty of coffee in the pantry, thanks for the natural alternative to the oil (yes the Sago is in direct sun), I will give the coffee a try first and see what happens. 

Edited July 26, 2023 by Dwarf Fan

[Jimhardy]

It can take a little while for them to clear. Caffeine is a natural pesticide.

Heres a tidbit about it....caffeine works like a natural pesticide, as it causes an herbivorous insects' nervous system to stop producing essential enzymes. 

[SeanK]

4 hours ago, Jimhardy said:

It can take a little while for them to clear. Caffeine is a natural pesticide.

Heres a tidbit about it....caffeine works like a natural pesticide, as it causes an herbivorous insects' nervous system to stop producing essential enzymes. 

I need to try this. The scale has a voracious appetite for S.minor.

[Jimhardy]

 

Heres a story about one persons experience....if you don't mind reading around all the adds.

 

https://dengarden.com/gardening/The-Compleat-Gardener-Killing-Cycad-Scale-with-Coffee-Grounds

[Dwarf Fan]

Jim, thank you so much for the science behind the home remedy, as well as the link to the article that mentioned the water treatment! 👍

“I had tried all that I knew to kill the scale, including several kinds of oils, scale insecticides, flea and tick spray, and a strong stream of water. The water treatment worked best”

I figured the water treatment would be the least invasive treatment to start with and then I will hit it with the coffee tomorrow.

Update: Wow, I am really pleased with the water treatment method, I would recommend it highly to anyone else with this Asian Cycad Scale infestation problem.

I set my hose nozzle on “jet” and sprayed the top and bottom of each and every frond starting on one side and going 360° till I got back to the other. Then I set the nozzle to “angle” and re-sprayed all the remaining bits off as much as I could, result below.

Edited July 28, 2023 by Dwarf Fan