Bismarckia nobilis leaf damage

[Tracy]

Late this spring I noticed a problem with the emerging leaf on this large Bismarckia nobilis.  No easy way to get up and see it, and leaves obscure the view of the new spears from the upstairs bedroom.  I thought I was out of the woods when new leaves seemed to emerge without the damage (see the last photo of the shriveled brown leaf for the earlier problem).  I attributed that first sign of a problem to our wet and cool winter & spring.  I just noticed the new leaf emerging and it appears to have a different type  of damage.  I am not sure what is happening and don't have a ladder to get up and see or treat with a crown drench.  Drip irrigation, last fertilized with PalmPlus with micros at the very end of spring.  Had not fertilized that garden since the prior summer.  Heavy clay soil in southwest Carlsbad.   Curious as to others thoughts.

[SeanK]

Tough to see. At first I thought moisture in the crown. But maybe I see scale?

[Kim]

I'm afraid to say the word that begins with a 'b'... and I would love to be wrong. But it looks like something has chewed on the developing spear, with the damage only visible when it opens. I hope I am misinterpreting what I see.

[Merlyn]

I'd think a fungal infection of some sort, though it doesn't seem to affect the petiole except right at the costa/hastula/whatchamacallit.  If you don't have a tall A-frame ladder you could get on a 6 foot stepladder and rig up some kind of jug of fungicide on a stick.  Someone here had a good trick with something like a pool pole and a solo cup, I think. 

There are some systemic fungicides rated for phytophthora infections.  Fosetyl-Al / Aliette is supposed to work on Phytophthora root rot, though I don't know if it's supposed to work on crown rots.  Subdue (Mefenoxam) is another one for Phytophthora root and stem rots.  Ones that are not rated for Phytophthora are Pageant and Heritage.

[Tracy]

1 hour ago, Kim said:

I'm afraid to say the word that begins with a 'b'... and I would love to be wrong. But it looks like something has chewed on the developing spear, with the damage only visible when it opens. I hope I am misinterpreting what I see.

I have wondered about South American Palm Weevils in that I know they have made it up into the Northern parts of San Diego County, attacking CIDPs.  "b" is a question mark for me though Kim... I hate to ask you to spell it out, but I will.

[96720]

I am not close to a palm expert but when my Bismarckia get a fungal infection the frond is pretty much just a petiole with no frond but other than that I have no clue!!!

[Kim]

Beetles. Sorry, didn't mean to be so cryptic, I went for a common description. Whichever brand -- red, South American, ? I haven't kept track since Red Palm Weevil. I definitely hope it's something else.