Category: Pests

AAA shares pest information regularly, so that industry professionals and the public can stay informed and help protect Hawaii's trees.

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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Pest of the Month February 2009 – Stem Bleeding of Coconut

Cause: Chalara paradoxa, a mainly soilborne plant-pathogenic fungus Hosts: Areca catechu, Barhea edulis, Caryota spp., Cocos nucifera, Elaeis guineensis, Phoenix africanus, Phoenix canariensis, Phoenix dactylifera, Raphis sp., Roystonea elata, Sabal palmetto, Sygarus romanzoffinia, Washingtonia filifera Symptoms:  black stain coming from a hole or wound and seeping down the coconut stem Management: Prevention and avoidance – don’t …

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Pest of the Month January 2009 – Plumeria Rust

Distribution: Main Hawaiian Islands Host: Plumeria spp. Symptoms:  Powdery, yellow-orange lesions on leaves with powdery spore masses on the underside of leaves Management:  Plant resistant species or hybrids, leaf litter control/destruction, plant in drier areas, apply approved fungicides when necessary, biological control with fungal hyperparasites and an insect (midge) predator, control weeds to improve airflow, …

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Pest of the Month November 2008 – Cycad Scale

Distribution: Oahu, Big Island, Kauai, and Maui Host:  Cycad species especially sago palm Symptoms:  Leaves turn yellow, then brown and die Management:  Biological control with tiny black lady beetle (Rhyzobius lophanthae) preferred. Source: Cycad Scale on Sago Palm, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Cooperative Extension Service, Publication IP-23, October …

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Pest of the Month October 2008 – Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (Pest Alert)

Distribution:  South Pacific (American Samoa, others) Host:  Coconut palm, oil palms, other palm species Symptoms:  V-shaped cuts in the fronds or holes through the midrib Management:  Eliminating the places where they breed and manually destroying adults and immatures.  Also through natural enemies such as pigs, rats, ants, and some beetles and diseases (fungus Metahizium anisopliae …

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Pest of the Month August 2008 – Sudden Oak Death (Pest Alert)

Distribution: Western U.S.–California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia Hosts:  38 species susceptible, additional 16 species associated with disease.  Deadly to beech and oak.  Hawaiian Islands associated hosts include Camellia, Rhododendron, and Victorian laurel Symptoms:  Canker on trunk, may be oozing.  If plants showing symptoms are found, call 643-PEST from any island in Hawaii. Control:  Clear cutting, burning, …

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