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. J.B. Friday, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Cooperative Extension Service, Plant Disease PD-62, January 2009.

A vigorous Korthalsella complanata plant infecting Acacia koa
near Keanakolu on the island of Hawai‘i (Photo: J.B. Friday, University of Hawaii, Natural Resources and Environmental Management)