The Hawaii Department of Agriculture has recently revised a New Pest Advisory which may have a major impact on Hawaii Island, particularly on the west side.

The avocado lacewing bug has been introduced to the Kona area, and it is already having a major impact. Adults and nymphs feed in groups on the underside of leaves. This sucking pest causes chlorotic blotches on foliage, which become necrotic. Severely damaged leaves may drop prematurely. Defoliation can result in sunburned fruit and wood and stressed trees, reducing subsequent yield. Your avocado crop this year may not be affected, but an uncontrolled infestation can affect next year's fruit, and may spread easily to adjacent properties. Proper pruning and treatment is highly recommended so that we, as a community, can respond to and control this issue.