Palm Pest Insects and Mites

Palmetto Weevil, Rhynchophorus cruentatus Fabricius (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

T. J. Weissling and R. M. Giblin-Davis

This document provides an in-depth profile of the palmetto weevil, Rhynchophorus cruentatus Fabricius, the largest weevil in North America. Native to Florida, this species has become a significant pest of stressed and transplanted palms. The article covers the weevil's distribution, physical characteristics, life cycle, host range, damage symptoms, and management strategies. It highlights the importance of early detection and integrated pest management to control infestations and prevent damage to palm trees.

Red Date Scale, Phoenicococcus marlatti (Cockerell) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Phoenicoccidae)

Adriana Espinosa, Amanda Hodges, Greg Hodges, and Catharine Mannion

Flatid Planthopper, Oormenaria rufifascia (Walker) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Flatidae)

F. W. Howard and Susan Halbert

Palm Aphid Cerataphis brasiliensis (Hempel) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphidae: Hormaphidinae)

Bonnie C. Wells

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Silky Cane Weevil, Metamasius hemipterus sericeus (Olivier) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Thomas J. Weissling and Robin M. Giblin-Davis

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the silky cane weevil, Metamasius hemipterus sericeus. It details the weevil's distribution, physical characteristics, life cycle, host range, and the damage it causes to sugarcane and ornamental palms. The article discusses the economic impact of infestations, management strategies including chemical and biological control, and the challenges in population assessment and trapping. Emphasis is placed on the importance of integrated pest management to mitigate the damage caused by this pest.

Palmetto Tortoise Beetle, Florida Tortoise Beetle (unofficial common names), Hemisphaerota cyanea (Say), (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae)

D. W. Hall and J. F. Butler

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Coconut Mealybug Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Adriana Espinosa, Amanda Hodges, Greg Hodges, and Catharine Mannion

Palmetto Scale Comstockiella sabalis Comstock

Adrianna Espinosa, Amanda Hodges, and Greg Hodges

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Red Palm Mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Arachnida: Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

Marjorie A. Hoy, Jorge Peña, and Ru Nguyen

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

A Coconut Mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Arachnida: Acari: Eriophyidae)

Forrest W. Howard and Dave Moore

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Royal Palm Bug, Xylastodoris luteolus Barber (Insecta: Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae)

T. J. Weissling, F. W. Howard, and A. W. Meerow

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Cabbage Palm Caterpillar Litoprosopus futilis (Grote & Robinson) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Eulepidotinae)

Geo Wallace Dekle

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.