Created: 11/30/2007 4:38:41 PM 
By Roger Weeder First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Sago palms are a centerpiece in many front yards across the First Coast. This year the popular palm is under attack.
The Asian cycad scale is creating all kinds of problems. The insect from Thailand was accidentally imported to Florida on plants. Now it's working its way across the state.
Terry DelValle is a Duval County horticulture extension agent who is fielding calls from homeowners. "It almost looks like a coating of snow on the underside of the leaf," she said in describing the visual signs of infection.
DelValle says sago palms need to be sprayed with horticultural oil products (ultrafine, organocide or malathion-in-oil combination.)
The palms, she says, needs to be coated thoroughly because the oil is what smothers the insect. During the winter months, spraying once a week is recommended. During warmer seasons you should spray every two weeks.
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