The avocado lace bug (Pseudacysta perseae, family Tingidae) occurs in the Caribbean, French Guyana, Mexico, and southeastern United States. As of 2006, in California it occurs only in San Diego County. Also known as the camphor lace bug, this pest feeds on certain plants in the family Lauraceae. Hosts are the avocado fruit tree (Persea americana), other Persea species such as red bay (P. borbonia), and camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), which is grown as a landscape ornamental and commercially for its aromatic extracts.
Recently, Dr. Mark Hoddle from UC Riverside presented an update on the bug and its potential for spread in California. Hoddle is a biocontrol specialist who has done extensive work on this pest, as well as many other pests that afflict plants in this state. Here him:
And while you are at, you might check out the numerous other videos on file at UC IPM's "Ask The Ag Experts" website.
photo: Avocado lace bug, Pseudacysta perseae, adults, nymphs, and eggs under black excrement.
Photo by David Rosen.
