Insects in the crown

[Jdiaz31089]

I've noticed that of the palms I grow, jubaeopsis seems to attract a lot of attention from insects. I've found that collections (herds, swarms?) of earwigs like to hang out in the center of its crown. I inspect it every day and "take care of" the problem regularly by crushing them and removing the dead insects, but by the following day, there is a new congregation of them. Most recently, I've noticed ants coming in and out of the crown. Have any of you had similar experiences with this species? Or insects in other species? I'm not sure if this is even something I should be worried about. The spears are solid and active, there's no sign of rot in the crown - which was my initial concern. I took some pictures to show the center of the crown, it doesn't look like anything is amiss does it? (I'm assuming the brown tomentum and dark coloration on the petioles is natural for this species)

 

[Patrick]

Mine gets the same treatment from insects as yours. The difference is that mine has had some serious trouble from the bugs. The ants come in and place mealybugs around, and the earwigs munch on the new growth in the winter and ruin the new growth. My crowns look like hell. One stem is growing out of the damage it sustained 2 winters ago, and the other is 1 year behind the other, damage- wise. I anticipate the second stem will start growing again in a few months and it won't start looking healthy again for another year.

 

This winter I was more dilligent about the bugs. I have been spraying soapy water to kill the ants and mealybugs; and then using peroxide for bacteria control. Mine has gotten that bad so be careful...

 

I would caution you to be wary of the insects. I'm glad you posted because it tells me that there is something about the Jubaeopsis' that the bugs like, and I'm not the only one with the situation. I will try to post pictures when I get home.

[Tracy]

45 minutes ago, Patrick said:

The ants come in and place mealybugs around

Very common with a lot of species, not just palms.  Especially shade grown plants, when we get into extended periods of coastal marine layers with limited clearing where I live.  Even my Aloes battle this problem part of the year.  I'm using a similar strategy as Patrick, a little neem oil with dishwashing detergent diluted with water in a spray container. 

If I don't stay on top of it, things go downhill with stunted growth points and eventually rot.  Everything from Archontophoenix, to Howea, Burretiokentia's, Kentiopsis and Dypsis have fought this in my garden at different times.

[Gtlevine]

Use Merit systemic insecticide and problem will be eliminated for a year or more. Just don't use it if the palm is flowering, that or cut the flower off to prevent bees from getting to the palm.

[Patrick]

Here's what you end up with if you let it go. You can see the first stem is finally growing out of the damage, and the second stem is on the road to recovery...

[Jdiaz31089]

Wow Patrick! That is some nasty damage. I treated mine with a general insecticide and it seemed to have taken care of the problem for now.

On 5/7/2017, 11:23:30, Patrick said:

Here's what you end up with if you let it go. You can see the first stem is finally growing out of the damage, and the second stem is on the road to recovery...

 

[Josue Diaz]

I had the same issue with the insects in this palm again this year.

 

Edited May 9, 2018 by Josue Diaz

[Josue Diaz]

The palm is healthy otherwise

[JubaeaMan138]

Bayer 3 in 1 shrub and tree mite and insect control works great inhad a roystonea doing the same . Like stated above shade and cool weather dont help a dose of bayer and it's gone within a week. Just be careful using insecticide on flowering plants . But it works great for aphids, mealy and mites and ants I have to give my agaves this about every 6 months to kill off the nasty agave weevil and it works great