In February 2020, the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture announced that the avocado lace bug has been reported on Hawaiʻi Island. Pseudacysta perseae, avocado lace bug, is a new state record for Hawaiʻi and was first detected in Pearl City in December 2019. If you note anything suspicious, please take clear photos from various angles that you can use to begin communications with DOA folks. Possible infestations on Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokai, or Lanaʻi should be reported to HDOA’s Plant Pest Control Branch at: hdoa.ppc@hawaii.gov. Please include photos of the damage to avocado plants to help with identification.
Avocado lace bug can be found on the underside of leaves.
Leaf damage caused by the avocado lace bug.
HOSTS:
Avocado (Persea Americana), red bay (Persea borbonia), and camphor (Cinnamomum camphora)
SYMPTOMS AND DAMAGE TO LOOK FOR:
- Yellow blotching and chlorosis, scorching on leaves
- early leaf drop
- Undersides of leaves with black feces and eggs
- Adults and nymphs on the undersides of leaves
HDOA Alert:
avocado lace bug field ID photo guide 1-7-2020
LINKS TO INFO: