Avocado Pests

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Fig. 1
Adults and nymphs of the avocado lace bug

Dorsal view of male Platypus flavicornis Fabricius

Fig. 4
Dorsal view of male Platypus flavicornis

Fig. 8

Redbay ambrosia beetles (Xyleborus glabratus): a) comparison of beetle to a penny; b) top view and c) side view of a single adult

Avocado Mite Damage

Fig. 13
Mite damage to fruit

Dictyospermum scale Chrysomphalus dictyospermi (Morgan)

Fig. 16
Dictyospermum scale Chrysomphalus dictyospermi

Adult redbanded thrips, Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard)

Fig. 19

Adult redbanded thrips, Selenothrips rubrocinctus

Fig. 23
Lateral view of a worker of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta

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Many insect pests attack avocados, but they seldom limit fruit production significantly. Insect infestations are not predictable and control measures are justified only when large populations occur. Currently, the most important insect pests in Florida are:
Avocado Looper (Epimecis detexta), Pyriform Scale (Protopulvinaria pyriformis), Dictyospermum Scale (Chrysomphalus dictyospermi), Avocado Red Mites (Oligonychus yothersi), Borers (e.g., Ambrosia beetles, Xylosandrus sp.), Avocado Lace Bugs (Acysta perseae), Red-banded Thrips (Selenothrips rubrocinctus). ³

Avocado Lace Bug (Fig. 1)
Pseudacysta Perseae (Heidemann) Insecta: Hemiptera: Tingidae

The avocado lace bug was historically regarded as having a limited distribution throughout the Florida peninsula, causing little economic damage. However, the number of complaints about leaf damage resulting from this insect has increased recently. ³
The avocado lace bug inhabits the undersurface of leaves and feeds by penetrating the tissue with its piercing-sucking mouthparts and removing plant sap. The bug lives in colonies, depositing eggs upright in irregular clusters in the same area that the bug inhabits. The life cycle of the avocado lace bug is about three weeks. ³


Fig. 2	Fig. 3

Fig. 2. Eggs of the avocado lace bug
Fig. 3. Lace bug damage on avocado leaf

Further Reading
Avocado Lace Bug, Pseudacysta perseae (Heidemann), University of Florida ^pdfAvocado Lace Bug, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources ^pdfLace Bugs, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources^pdf

Ambrosia Beetle (Fig. 4)
Platypus spp. Insecta: Coleoptera: Platypodidae

The family Platypodidae includes approximately 1,000 species, most of which are found in the tropics (Schedl 1972). Seven species of platypodids, all in the genus Platypus, are found in the United States, four of which occur in Florida. All species found in Florida are borers of trunks and large branches of recently killed trees and and may cause economic damage to unmilled logs or standing dead timber. ²


Fig. 5	Fig. 6	Fig. 7

Fig. 5. Sawdust tube produced by an ambrosia beetle on a dead redbay; multiple species of ambrosia beetles attack redbays killed by Xyleborus glabratus and its associated fungus
Fig. 6. Boring dust (stage 3) at base of tree resulting from feeding of the ambrosia beetle
Fig. 7. Redbay (Persea borbonia) trunk with ambrosia beetle sawdust (frass) tubes at points of entrance for adult beetles constructing galleries

Further Reading
Ambrosia Beetles, Platypus spp., University of Florida ^pdf
A Guide to Florida's Common Bark and Ambrosia Beetles, University of Florida ^pdf

Laurel Wilt (Fig. 8)
Caused by the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle (Xyleborus glabratus)

Trees become infected with the LW pathogen when a contaminated ambrosia beetle bores into the tree's xylem (water-conducting tissue) to form galleries and inoculates these galleries with R. lauricola. The infection triggers the tree's natural defense mechanism designed to wall off the pathogen through the production of tyloses (outgrowths of xylem cells that detach from the cell wall and dam up the vascular tissue) and gums (Inch et al. 2012; Inch and Ploetz 2012). Unfortunately, before the tree can successfully wall off the fungus, the fungus repeatedly spreads to new sections of the tree, which keeps triggering the tree's defense system. After a relatively short period of time, the water-conducting tissue (xylem) becomes plugged with tyloses and gums, and water can no longer flow to the leaves and stems, causing the tree to wilt, die back, and die. Time from infection to tree death depends on several factors but can range from three weeks up to three months. ⁵
At this time, there are no approved fungicide treatments to prevent or cure laurel-wilt-affected avocado trees in the home landscape. ⁵


Fig. 9	Fig. 10	Fig. 11

Distribution of laurel wilt disease in the United States as of 2019

Fig. 12

Fig. 9. Avocado trees infected with laurel wilt disease; trees can die just 6 to 8 weeks after infection
Fig. 10. Redbay with partially wilted crown
Fig. 11. Same tree eight months later
Fig. 12. Distribution of Counties with Laurel Wilt Disease by year of Initial Detection

Video:^10:16
Laurel wilt disease ^v1

Further Reading
Avocado Diseases, Laurel Wilt

Mites (Fig. 13)
Oligonychus yothersi, O. punicae, Tegolophus perseaflotae

Spider mites of the genus Oligonychus commonly infest avocados in Florida. Feeding is first confined to the upper leaf surface along the midrib and then spreads along secondary veins. the areas along the veins become reddish-brown. Damage by the spider mites is commonly observed from October through February, causing a reduction in photosynthesis of up to 30 percent. Infested leaves often abscise prematurely. Control measures are often started when mite pressures reach six or more mites per leaf. For spider mites in general, life cycles may range from 5 to 20 days. Lifespan of the spider mite may be as long as one month. The female lays several hundred eggs over a lifetime. The eggs are capable of overwintering within the grove. ³
Avocado bud mite (T. perseaflorae) populations start to increase from March to May. These mites are found on buds and on developing fruit. The feeding of the avocado bud mite causes necrotic spots and irregular openings in apical leaves and may cause fruit deformation and discoloration. ³


Fig. 14	Fig. 15

Fig. 14,15. Damage to avocado leaves

Video:^3:37
Red mites ^v2

Scales (Fig. 17)
Chrysomphalus dictyospermi, C. aonidum, Ceroplastes floridensis, Hemiberlesia lataniae, Protopulvinaria pyriformis

Scale insects can be of two types, armored scales or soft scales. Armored scales are protected by a distinct, hard, separable shell. Soft scales have a delicate body not protected by a shell and often produce honeydew.
Soft and armored scales are plant-feeding insects, often controlled by natural and released parasites, predators, and pathogens. In cases when the natural balance of predation has been disrupted, scale populations may increase to levels requiring chemical treatment. Since scale insects are relatively immobile, and at least one month is required for the scale-insect egg to reach the adult stage, an infestation builds up slowly (in comparison to mites or aphids) and may be hard to spot. It is important to verify that the scale insects attached to the plant are alive, as mummies accumulate on the plant over time. ³


Fig. 17	Fig. 18

Fig. 17. Florida wax Scale - C. floridensis
Fig. 18. Florida red scale C. aonidum

Redbanded thrips (Fig. 19)
Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard) Insects: Thysanoptera: Thripidae

The redbanded thrips is ubiquitous throughout Florida, but the pest is generally found in damaging numbers from Orlando to Key West. Female redbanded thrips are slightly greater than 1 mm in length with a dark-brown to black body underlain by red pigment, chiefly in the first three abdominal segments. The larvae is light yellow to orange with the first three and last segments of the abdomen bright red. The life cycle of this thrips is about three weeks in Florida, and several generations are possible each year. Infestations of redbanded thrips may cause leaf drop, at times totally denuding trees. ³The larvae and adults feed on the foliage and the fruit by piercing the epidermis with their mouthparts. Redbanded thrips prefer young foliage and their feeding causes distortion and drop. The thrips destroys the cells on which it feeds, causes injury to the fruit, and leaves unsightly dark colored droplets or blotches of excrement on the leaf surface. A more serious injury is leaf drop, which may denude trees. Honeydew excretory products from red-banded thrips and other insect infestations fall to leaves, fruits or objects beneath, giving rise to the objectionable, fruit-degrading black sooty mold. ⁴


Fig. 20	Fig. 21	Fig. 22

Fig. 20. Adults and larvae
Fig. 21. Pupa(e)
Fig. 22. Avocado fruit showing scarring that has resulted from avocado thrips feeding damage

Further Reading
Redbanded Thrips, Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard), University of Florida ^pdf

Red Imported Fire Ants (Fig. 23)
Solenopsis invicta Buren Insect: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae

Two species of fire ants are found in Florida. Most notorious is Solenopsis invicta Buren, the red imported fire ant (RIFA), followed by the much less common S. geminata (Fabricius), the tropical or native fire ant. Other more common U.S. members of this genus include S. xyloni McCook, the southern fire ant; S. aurea Wheeler, found in western states; and S. richteri Forel, the black imported fire ant, confined to northeastern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama. ⁶


Fig. 24	Fig. 25

Fig. 24. Typical colony of the red imported fire ant, S. invicta Buren.
Fig. 25. Mound of the red imported fire ant, S. invicta Buren, in St. Augustinegrass.

Further Reading
Red Imported Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta Buren, University of Florida ^pdf
Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas, University of Florida ^pdf

Further Reading
Florida Integrated Pest Management, University of Florida ^ext.
link
List of Avocado Pests, University of Florida TREC ^ext.
link

Bibliography
¹ Mead, F. W., and J. E. Pena. "Avocado Lace Bug, Pseudacysta Perseae (Heidemann), (Insecta Hemiptera: Tingidae)." Entomology and Nematology Dept., UF/IFAS Extension, Original Pub. July 1998, Revised Apr. 2016 and Dec. 2023, EENY-039, AskIFAS, edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in166. Accessed 14 Apr. 2017, 17 Sept. 2019, 7 Sept. 2025.
² Atkinson, T. H. "Ambrosia Beetle Platypus spp. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Platypodidae)." Entomology and Nematology Dept., University of Florida, IFAS Extension, Original Pub. Nov. 2000, Revised July 2014 and Mar. 2021, and Oct. 2024, EENY174, AskIFAS, edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in331. Accessed 18 Nov. 2013, 17 Sept. 2019, 5 Jan. 2024, 7 Sept. 2025.
³ Mossler, Mark A., and Jonathan H. Crane. "Florida Crop/Pest Management Profile: Avocado." Pesticide Information Office, Horticultural Sciences Dept., UF/IFAS Extension, Sept. 2001, Reviewed Mar. 2012, Archived, AskIFAS, edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Accessed 7 Mar. 2015, 17 Sept. 2019.
⁴ Denmark, H. A., and D. O. Wolfenbarge. "Redbanded thrips Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard)." Entomology and Nematology Dept., University of Florida, IFAS Extension, EENY-099, Original Pub. June 1999, Revised Feb. 2019, June 2022, and Mar. 2025, AskIFAS, doi.org/10.32473/edis-in256-1999, edis.ifas.ufl.edu./in256. Accessed 26 Apr. 2017, 17 Sept. 2019, 5 Jan. 2024, 7 Sept. 2025, 12 Dec. 2025.
⁵ Crane, Jonathan H., et al. "Recommendations for the Detection and Mitigation of Laurel Wilt Disease in Avocado and Related Tree Species in the Home Landscape." Horticultural Sciences Dept., UF/IFAS Extension, HS1358, Original Pub. Feb. 2020, Reviewed 24 July 2023, AskIFAS, doi.org/10.32473/edis-hs1358-2020, edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1358. Accessed 1 May 2020, 7 Sept. 2025.
⁶ Collins, Laura, and Rudolf H. Scheffrahn."Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae)." Entomology and Nematology Dept., UF/IFAS Extension, IN352, Original Pub. Jan. 2001, Revised Aug. 2008 and Nov. 2013, Reviewed Oct. 2020, doi.org/10.32473/edis-in352-2001, edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN352. Accessed 26 Apr. 2017.
⁷ Crane, Jonathan H., et al. "Avocados Growing in the Home Landscape." Horticultural Sciences Dept., UF/IFAS Extension, CIR1034, Original Pub. Mar. 1983, Revised Jan. 1998, Aug. 2001, May 2003, Sept. 2005, Aug. 2007 and Sept. 2016, Reviewed Dec. 2019 and 23 July 2023, doi.org/10.32473/edis-mg213-1983, AskIFAS, edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg213. Accessed 13 June 2018, 16 Apr. 2020, 1 Sept. 2025.

Videos

^v1 "Laurel Wilt in Florida, Slowing the Spread." Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/Pests-and-Diseases/Plant-Pests-and-Diseases/Laurel-Wilt-Disease. Accessed 1 May 2020.
^v2 Crane, Johathan H. and Ian Maguire. "Cultural practices for the avocado." University of Florida, IFAS/TREC.

Photographs

Fig. ^1,3 Castner, James. "Adults and nymphs of the avocado lace bug, Pseudacysta Perseae (Heidemann) and Leaf damage caused by the lace bug, Pseudacysta Perseae (Heidemann)." Entomology and Nematology Dept., UF/IFAS Extension, edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Accessed 16 Nov. 2013.
Fig. ² Hunsberger, Adrian. "Eggs of the avocado lace bug, Pseudacysta Perseae (Heidemann)." Entomology and Nematology Dept., UF/IFAS Extension, edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Accessed 16 Nov. 2013.
Fig. ⁴ Almquist, David T. "Dorsal view of male Platypus flavicornis Fabricius." Entomology and Nematology Dept., UF/IFAS Extension, edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Accessed 17 Nov. 2013.
Fig. ⁵ Mayfield, Albert. "Small strings of compacted sawdust protrude from small bore holes along the trunk of a tree." Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Service, edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Accessed 19 Nov. 2013.
Fig. ⁶ Billings, Ronald F. "Boring dust (stage 3) at base of tree resulting from feeding of the ambrosia beetle Platyus flavicornis Fabricius." Texas Forest Service, 2005, Bugwood.org, (CC BY-NC 3.0 US), bugwood.org. Accessed 18 Nov. 2013.
Fig. ⁷ Billings, Ronald, F. "Redbay (Persea borbonia) trunk with ambrosia beetle sawdust (frass) tubes at points of entrance for adult beetles constructing galleries." Texas Forest Service, College Station, TX, 2010, Bugwood.org, (CC BY-NC 3.0 US), bugwood.org. Accessed 6 Feb. 2014.
Fig. ⁸ Thomas, Michael C. "Redbay ambrosia beetles (Xyleborus glabratus): a) comparison of beetle to a penny; b) top view and c) side view of a single adult." Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, edis.ifas.ufl.edu.Accessed 19 Nov. 2013.
Fig. ⁹ Kendra, Paul. "Avocado trees infected with laurel wilt disease. Trees can die just 6 to 8 weeks after infection." USDA Agricultural Research Service, Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research (TPGRDR) unit at the Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center (PBARC), Hilo, HI. no. D3703-1, USDA/ARS, www.ars.usda.gov/oc/images/photos/nov16/d3703-1/ Accessed 1 May 2020.
Fig. ^10,11 Mayfield III, Albert E. "Wilt symptoms of redbay attacked by Xyleborus glabratus and infected with Raffaelea lauricola." Florida Division of Forestry, and M. C. Thomas, FDACS/DPI, 2006, freshfromflorida.com. Accessed 9 Feb. 2014.
Fig.¹² "Distribution of Counties with Laurel Wilt Disease by year of Initial Detection." USDA Forest Service, 29 Aug. 2025, USDA, www.fs.usda.gov/r08/natural-resources/forest-health. Accessed 8 Sept. 2025.
Fig.¹³ Nelson, Scot. "Mite Damage to Avocado Fruit." An Illustrated Glossary of Tropical Plant Pests, College of Tropical Agricutlrure and Human Resourcesm University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/nelsons/glossary/index.htm. Accessed 9 Feb. 2014.
Fig. ^14,15 Nelson, Scot. "Mite Damage to Avocado Leaves." An Illustrated Glossary of Tropical Plant Pests, College of Tropical Agricutlrure and Human Resourcesm University of Hawai'i at Manoa, www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/nelsons/glossary/index.htm. Accessed 9 Feb. 2014.
Fig. ¹⁶ Olsen, Charles. "Dictyospermum scale Chrysomphalus dictyospermi (Morgan)." USDA APHIS PPQ, 2012, Bugwood.org, (CC BY-NC 3.0 US), bugwood.org. Accessed 7 Mar. 2015.
Fig. ¹⁷ "Florida Wax Scale - Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock." United States National Collection of Scale Insects Photographs Archive, USDA ARS, 2006, Bugwood.org, (CC BY-NC 3.0 US), bugwood.org. Accessed 7 Mar. 2015.
Fig. ¹⁸ Graney, Lorraine. "Florida red scale Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus)." Bartlett Tree Experts, 2010, Bugwood.org, (CC BY-NC 3.0 US), bugwood.org. Accessed 7 Mar. 2015.
Fig. ^19,20,21 Buss, Lyle. "Adult redbanded thrips, Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard)." Entomology and Nematology Dept., UF/IFAS Extension, 2010, Bugwood.org, (CC BY-NC 3.0 US), bugwood.org. Accessed 19 Nov. 2013.
Fig. ²² Hoddle, Mark S. "Avocado fruit showing scarring that has resulted from avocado thrips feeding damage." University of California, Riverside, no. 1390032, 26 Oct. 2010, Bugwood.org, (CC BY-NC 3.0 US), www.invasive.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=1390032. Accessed 9 Sept. 2025.
Fig. ²³ Almquist, David. "Lateral view of a worker of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren."Entomology and Nematology Dept., UF/IFAS Extension, edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Accessed 10 Feb. 2014.
Fig. ²⁴ Porter, Sanford D. "Typical colony of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren." USDA, Gainesville, FL, ars.usda.gov. Accessed 10 Feb. 2014.
Fig. ²⁵ Scheffrahn, Rudolf. "Mound of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, in St. Augustinegrass." Entomology and Nematology Dept., UF/IFAS Extension, edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Accessed 10 Feb. 2014.

Published 16 Nov. 2013 LR. Last update 12 Dec. 2025 LR