Sago Palm Pink Core Growth: Asian Cycad Scale

Pinkish puffy substance in center of sago palm (Cycas revoluta) around new growth—Asian cycad scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui), a devastating pest.

Treatment

• Horticultural oil or neem oil sprays (thorough, repeated).
• Systemic: Dinotefuran (Safari) soil drench or foliar.
• IGR: Pyriproxyfen (Distance) foliar.
• Pressure wash to remove scale bodies.
• University of Florida researching; "Atomic Grow" mentioned in trials.

Note

No known cure; management is ongoing. Quarantine new cycads. "Atomic Grow" claims need independent verification.