Hosts: Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Annonaceae, Solanaceae Families – soursop, castor bean, orchid tree, awikiwiki, coral tree (E. crista-galli), Indian coral tree, wiliwili, red hibiscus, ulu, paper mullberry, white sapote, a’e (soapberry), akia, royal palm, kapok, croton, guava, angel’s trumpet Distribution: Southern U.S., Mexico to Ecuador, West Indies, and Hawaii. Symptoms: Leaf stippling to yellowing to bleaching …
June 2012 archive
Jun 27
Pest of the Month January 2011 – Palm Bud Rot and Palm Stem Rot
Pathogens: Phytophthora palmivora and Thielaviopsis paradoxa (a.k.a. Chalara paradoxa – see Pest of the Month February 2009 – Stem Bleeding of Coconut) Hosts: Fishtail palms, pineapple, coconut, Dracaena fragrans, Ficus spp., Phoenix spp., Rhapis sp., royal palm, cabbage palm, sugarcane, queen palm, Manila palm, Washingtonia spp., aglaonema, Syngonium podophyllum Distribution: California, Florida, Arizona, Hawaii, and …
Jun 27
Pest of the Month November 2010 – Red Palm Weevil (Pest Alert)
Hosts: 24 species of palms in 14 genera, including most of the common landscape palms found in California Distribution: Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe, Australia, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Aruba, and U.S. – Laguna Beach, Orange County Symptoms: Larval mines and frass in leaf based in the central growing point of the palm, …
Jun 27
Pest of the Month October 2010 – Algal Leaf Spot
Cephaleuros spp. Hosts: Guava, magnolia, coffee, avocado, mango, breadfruit, coconut, cacao, citrus, and others Distribution: Tropical and subtropical climates and on all continents and probably all islands between 33°N and 33°S of the equator where temperature and humidity are suitable for growth. Symptoms: For C. virescens, leaf spots on the upper leaf surface, raised and …
Jun 27
Pest of the Month September 2010 – Citrus Leaf Miner
Hosts: species of Citrus and related Rutaceae Distribution: Hawaii, California, Florida, most of Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia to India, Indonesia, China, Philippines, Taiwan, southern Japan, New Guinea and nearby Pacific Islands Symptoms: Serpentine mines in leaves and rarely in fruits, curling of leaves. Young leaves are susceptible. Succulent branches of young shoots may also be …
Jun 22
Pest of the Month August 2010 – Cuban Laurel Thrips
Host: Ficus sp., citrus, and occasionally orchids Distribution: Hawaii, Florida, California, Texas, Guam, and other tropical areas Symptoms: Sunken purplish spots along midrib and tight curling of young leaves, which become hard and tough and eventually fall off. Young leaves are susceptible. Management: Biological control including green lacewing larvae and ladybird beetles. For ornamental trees, …
Jun 22
Pest of the Month July 2010 – Colletotrichum Leaf Spot on Red Sealing Wax Palm
Host: Red sealing wax palms (Cyrtostachys renda Blume) Symptoms: Small, water-soaked dark green spots that expand into circular spots with tan to light brown centers bordered by water-soaked tissue on foliage. The size of necrotic areas increases as spots coalesce. Young leaves are susceptible. Leaf petioles and sheaths are also infected. Spread by: water splashing …
Jun 22
Pest of the Month June 2010 – Monkeypod Moths
Monkeypod Moths (Melipotis indomita, Ascalapha odorata, and Polydesma umbricola) Distribution: all major Hawaiian Islands Hosts: Monkeypods (M. indomita also attacks kiawe) Symptoms: Defoliation. Webbing with frass on trunk bark. Management: Management is not usually necessary. If a tree is particularly stressed, insecticide can be applied to the trunk bark. Sources: Description and Life Cycle of …
Jun 22
Pest of the Month May 2010 – Pacific Beetle Roach
Distribution: Asia, Pacific Islands, and Hawaii Hosts: Cypress and juniper Symptoms: Dead areas in crowns (orange/brown). Roaches girdle branches by eating the bark. Management: Remove leaf litter from crown and below tree (nesting area for roaches). Sources: Pacific beetle mimic Diploptera punctata Norfolk Island Pine Culture, University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service Circular 453, March 1972, p. …
Jun 22
Pest of the Month April 2012 – Black Twig Borer
Black Twig Borer Xylosandrus compactus (Eichoff) Distribution: Hawaiian Islands. Native to Asia, found in coffee growing areas of the world Hosts: Over 200 plant species including coffee, avocado, citrus, cacao, paperbark, Eucalyptus robusta, haole koa, guava, Christmasberry, lychee, macadamia, mango, mahogany, hibiscus, kukui,Surinam cherry, and podocarpus. Symptoms: Pin-sized entry holes, twig death. Severe infestations can kill …