University of Hawaii at Manoa
UH SealCollege of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

Cycad Scale, or Sago Palm Scale

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Cycad scale. Photo: B Bushe

Cycad scale
Photo: Brian Bushe, CTAHR

Cycad scale crawlers. Photo: B Bushe

Cycad scale crawlers
Photo: Brian Bushe, CTAHR

Problem

The Cycad scale feeds on the undersides of the leaves of the Sago Palm, sucking the sap from the plants. The leaves of the Sago Palm turn yellow, then brown, and die. In severely infested plants, new growth may be affected.  Cycad scale attacks the leaves, leaf petioles, trunk, and roots of the plant. It is difficult to control because it is hard to eliminate all of the scale insects with pesticide, and natural predators are not always effective.

Description

Adult, female Cycad scales have a hard, waxy, white, oval shaped covering. The actual insect is inside this armor and is orange in color. Males have wings and are long, with a white covering. Females are tiny, 1/18 of an inch. The males are even smaller.

Information

Kendal Lyon, Hawaii Island Master Gardeners