Category: News

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 …

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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, …

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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 …

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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 …

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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, …

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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 …

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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 …

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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. …

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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 …

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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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