Royal Palm Bug Damage
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Figure 1. Early damage caused by royal palm bug (Xylastodoris luteolus). Photo by T.K. Broschat
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Figure 2. Severe damage caused by royal palm bug (Xylastodoris luteolus). Photo by T.K. Broschat
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Symptoms
Leaflets of new leaves emerge chloroticchlorotic:
see chlorosis
(Fig. 1) and quickly become desiccated. Old damage remains on the tree as leafletleaflet:
divisions of pinnate leaves
necrosis on mid- to lower canopycanopy:
the cluster of leaves borne at the tip of the stem
leaves (Fig. 2).
May be confused with
The chloroticchlorotic:
see chlorosis
new leaves can be confused with iron deficiency, whereas the necroticnecrotic:
see necrosis
leaflets in the mid to lower canopycanopy:
the cluster of leaves borne at the tip of the stem
are similar to those of potassium deficient palms.
Cause
Sucking damage by the royal palm bug (Xylastodoris luteolus) is responsible for the symptoms observed.
Occurrence
The royal palm bug (Xylastodoris luteolus) infests only Roystonea regia in Cuba and Florida.
