June 2012 archive

Pest of the Month March 2012 – Banana Moth

Distribution: Islands of Oahu and Hawaii Host:  Mortality in Hawaii has been found in Pritchardia sp., floribunda palm, foxtail palm, Manila palm, and coconut palm.  Alternate hosts include grasses, banana, and coffee as well as in any decaying vegetation Symptoms:  Browning of leaves, heart leaves easily pulled out with necrosis of living stem tissues beneath, heart …

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Pest of the Month February 2010 – Nettle Caterpillar

 Hosts:  Over 45 species of plants in 22 families.  Monocots preferred over dicots.  Common in palms, various grasses, ti leaf, iris, and most lilies including mondo.  Range: Most of east side of BigIsland, Kona district and Kohala district; Oahu (Central Oahu, Waimanalo, Waialua); and Maui (Haiku, Paia, Makawao, Wailuku, and Kihei) Symptoms:  Heavily damaged leaves, …

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Pest of the Month January 2010 – Sooty Mold

Hosts:  Any plant that hosts phloem-feeding insects and has honeydew on it Range: Throughout the world’s temperate and tropical regions Symptoms:  A black, non-parasitic superficial growth on plant surfaces that can be completely rubbed off with your fingers to reveal healthy plant tissue Spread through: airborne sooty mold spores Control: management is only warranted when …

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Pest of the Month November 2009 – Coconut Leafroller

Hosts:  Coconuts, bananas, native Pritchardias Range: All major Hawaiian Islands. More prevalent in windswept areas, possibly due to wind interference with parasitoids. Believed to be endemic to Hawaii. Symptoms:  Young larvae feed on underside of leaves beneath a protective thin web of silk. They leave the opposite epidermis intact. As they get older, they feed …

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Pest of the Month October 2009 – Phytophthora cinnamomi

Hosts:  Numerous, including koa, ohia,Norfolk pine, Eucalyptus sp., macadamia nut, hala, avocado, and strawberry guava Range: Hawaii, and most of the rest of the world (Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America, Central America, Caribbean, Micronesia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea) Symptoms:  primarily root rot in Hawaii plants, leading to dieback and death.  …

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Pest of the Month August 2009 – Phytophthora Heart Rot

Hosts:  Primarily affects coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) Symptoms:  Loss of young fruits, brown mottling on immature and mature green fruits, heart rot of plant evident when youngest spear leaf dies, leaf death, death of palm Spread:  Via movement of infected nuts and palms, pruning with contaminated equipment, insects, rodents, wind-driven rain Control: Remove and incinerate …

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Pest of the Month July 2009 – Cassytha filiformis

Hosts: Mainly woody species including native and naturalized coastal hosts such as tree heliotrope, beach naupaka, ohia lehua, noni, and hala.  Habitat:  Primarily coastal areas, all major islands except Kaho’olawe.  Requires full sun. This species is indigenous toHawaii. Effects: Parasitic.  Infections can be fatal to host species. Treatment/prevention: (1)  Remove (prune) infected limbs as early …

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Pest of the Month June 2009 – Naio Thrips

Hosts: Many species of Myoporum will likely be susceptible.  In Hawaii, naio thrips have been observed attacking both the prostrate (naio papa) and upright forms of the indigenous Myoporum sandwicense. Distribution: Northwestern part of the Island of Hawaii. Damage: Severe gall-like distortion of the new leaves and terminals. Stunting of terminal growth and leaf curling …

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Pest of the Month May 2009 – Hawaiian Mistletoes

Hosts: Native hardwoods Distribution:  Varies by species – see table p. 3 of source document Management: Prune affected branches and destroy them (do not use as mulch).  Limit management to high-value forestry or landscape settings since these plants have a useful part in Hawaii‘s ecosystem. Source: Hawaiian Mistletoes (Korthalsella Species), Dr. Scot Nelson and Dr. …

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Pest of the Month March 2009 – Red Palm Mite (Pest Alert)

Description: Red Palm Mite (RPM) is a bright red mite with long body hairs, usually with a drop of liquid at the tip of the hair. The body is flat. Range: Native to tropical and subtropical southeast Asia and the Middle East. Expanded range includes Caribbean Islands and Florida. Pathways: Extremely easy to spread. Can …

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