Cycad moth damage cycas revoluta

[happypalms]

It’s getting to stage where you cannot grow a cycas revoluta without it being attacked by the cycad moth. It’s one not so pretty grub that devastates revoluta cycads. I could spray but I choose not to spray my garden as it will completely ruin the ecosystem and balance in the garden. I don’t think I will be planting anymore revoluta it has only been in the last 5 years that the moth has become a problem in my garden. Although a common cycad the revoluta it is still a pretty cycad to have around the garden very tough adding to the tropical look. This year nearly all the ones I have are being destroyed. That’s gardening for you the good with the bad. 

[TropicsEnjoyer]

That’s crazy. Quite unfortunate. However everything has to live somehow right… On the bright side it’s just a revoluta, nothing rare. Also respect the anti insecticide, keeping the wild cleaner at your own cost sadly.

[SeanK]

Does the moth or it's larvae have a predator?

[GeneAZ]

You might try what they do at Kew in England.  They make a spray with 1 Tablespoon garlic powder in 1 gallon of water with a surfactant to adhere to leaf surfaces.  I don't know how long it lasts before you reapply.

[happypalms]

16 hours ago, SeanK said:

Does the moth or it's larvae have a predator?

It would have to have a predator of some sort, but it’s obviously not eating that many at the moment. The moth would have a predator for sure, but the balance of predator and prey are out of balance to get such devastating attacks. 

[happypalms]

14 hours ago, GeneAZ said:

You might try what they do at Kew in England.  They make a spray with 1 Tablespoon garlic powder in 1 gallon of water with a surfactant to adhere to leaf surfaces.  I don't know how long it lasts before you reapply.

Yes thanks for the tip definitely worth a try. Iam sure an organic spray is better than letting them have there way. Outdoors UV might break it down and rain would obviously wash it away and need to be reapplied. But thanks for the recipe chilli spray would certainly deter them as well.