Palms in Hawaiian Gardens pg.5
Lethal yellowing, a disease of palms caused by a mycoplasmalike organism, is not present in Hawaii but has killed millions of palms in Florida, Texas, and the Caribbean. The agent of disease is transmitted by a leafhopper (Myndkus crudus). There is no known cure. Similar diseases are known in Asia. Only vigilance, strict quarantine procedures, and laws can keep Hawaii palms free of these destructive pests. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture does not allow importation of palms or palm seed from know infested areas, but it will take the support of all to discourage illegal introduction of palms or seed to the Islands. When traveling and returning to Hawaii, always have any plants cleared by the Department of Agriculture. This helps ensure freedom from new pests like the recent plague of spiraling whitefly.
Insects
Coconut palms may be attacked by rose beetles or the coconut leaf roller, a caterpillar that skeletonizes the fronds and weakens the trees. These may be controlled biologically with applications of an insecticide containing bacteria that kill the caterpillars and are harmless to humans. Scales, mealybugs, and leafhoppers also may be a problem at times, but they may be effectively controlled with a broad-spectrum insecticide.
Suggested References
- Bailey. L. H. 1930. The standard cyclopedia of horticulture. 3 vols. Macmillan, New York.
- Bailey, L. H. 1949. Manual of cultivated plants. Macmillan, New York.
- Bailey, L. H., and E. Z. Bailey. 1976. Hortus third. Macmillan, New York.
- Blatter, E. 1926. The palms of British India and Ceylon. Oxford Univ. Press, London and New York.
- Brown, W. H. 1951. Useful plants of the Philippines. Republic of the Philippines. Dep. Agr. Tech. Bull. 10, Vol. 1.
- Dahlgren, B. E. 1936. Index of American palms. Field Museum of Natural History. Chicago.
- Everett, T. H. 1981. Encyclopedia of horticulture. Vol. 8. Garland Publishing, Inc., New York and London.
- Graf, A. B. 1976. Exotica. Roehrs Co., Inc., New York.
