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Queen Victoria Agave · Agave victoriae-reginae

What is eating my Queen Victoria Agave?

The agave snout weevil is a serious pest that bores into the center of the plant. If your agave suddenly looks like it is collapsing, this is the likely culprit.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Look closely at the base of the leaves for small holes or debris.
  2. Gently tug on the center leaves to see if they come loose.
  3. Check the crevices for white, fuzzy insects.

Likely causes

  1. Agave Snout Weevil

    Most likely

    How to tell: The center leaves begin to wilt and pull away easily, often revealing tunnels or larvae at the base.

    What to do: Unfortunately, once a weevil infestation is established, it is very hard to treat. Remove and destroy the infested plant immediately to prevent the weevils from spreading to your other agaves.

  2. Mealybugs

    Possible

    How to tell: You see small white, cottony patches tucked into the crevices between the leaves.

    What to do: Dab the white spots with a cotton swab dipped in 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. Repeat this once a week until the pests are gone.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your queen victoria agave

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

If the plant is leaning or the center leaves are dying, it is likely infested with weevils and should be removed.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plant healthy and stress-free, as weevils are often attracted to weakened or overwatered agaves.

Queen Victoria Agave: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your queen victoria agave and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Are these pests contagious?
Yes, the agave snout weevil can fly and will move to nearby agave plants, so isolate or remove the sick plant quickly.
Can I use pesticides?
Systemic insecticides can be used as a preventative measure in areas where weevils are known to be active.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Queen Victoria Agave

Back to the Queen Victoria Agave guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.