Insect and Related Pests of Bromeliads

Insects and Other Invertebrates Found on Bromeliads in Florida: Aphids Leafminers Thrips Grasshoppers Moths Mites Nematodes Snails and slugs Mosquitoes Scales and mealybugs Weevils

Aphids Soft-bodied, pear-shaped; suck plant juices Only rice root aphids have been reported on bromeliads in FL UF-MREC

Rice Root Aphid (Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominalis ) Dark green or orange to reddish brown Reddish area in middle of back Lives on roots Causes stunting In Florida, one known infestation of rice root aphid in bromeliads: found on about 150 Aechmea chantinii plants at a nursery in Apopka, March 1996 Found on coriander in Florida (Belle Glade); in Texas, primary hosts are Prunus spp. (peaches and plums) and secondary hosts are small grains (wheat,rice)

Aphid Management Remove infested plants to prevent spread Encourage natural enemies: many predators, parasites and pathogens attack aphids (lady beetles, lacewing larvae, syrphid fly larvae, wasp parasites); specific natural enemies of rice root aphid unknown Systemic insecticide

Leafminers Larvae of: flies (maggots) moths (caterpillars) beetles (grubs) Tunnel between upper and lower leaf surfaces Blotch or serpentine mines

Leafminers Attack a variety of ornamental and vegetable crops Management: Remove infested leaves/plants Practice good sanitation Encourage natural enemies

Thrips Very small, elongate Nymphs usually pale yellow, adults black or yellow-brown Winged or wingless (wings have narrow fringe of hairs) Populations peak during spring and summer

Thrips Females deposit eggs in leaf slits Two nymphal stages, then two resting stages (prepupa and pupa) Period from egg to adult may be 2-4 weeks, depending on species and conditions

Thrips Damage Feed on flowers and foliage Puncture plant cells and suck up plant juices Feeding produces silvery or deformed leaves and blotches on flowers UF-MREC

Thrips Management Detect presence by shaking onto white paper and looking for excrement Natural enemies may be effective (predatory mites, green lacewing larvae, damsel bugs, pirate bugs) By the time damage is noticed, thrips may have moved on Insecticidal soap or systemic insecticide

Grasshoppers Chewing insects: large holes in leaves Life cycle: eggs laid in soil; nymphs crawl to surface; develop wing pads with successive molts; adults have fully developed wings

Grasshoppers Management: Mechanical control (net or broom)

Moths Larvae of at least 7 small moths have been found on bromeliads in Florida, mostly on Tillandsia fasciculata.

Banana Moth Adults have brown wings with 2 small black spots Larvae have dark brown spots Eggs laid in plant crevices and hatch in 5-6 days, larvae take days to develop, pupal stage lasts days, adults live 5-7 days Breed all year Most commonly found in south Florida ornamental nurseries, especially around palms

Banana Moth Larvae may feed on detritus and plant stems Attack damaged plant tissue, then move to healthy tissue nearby Debris and excrement can be seen on outside of plants

Bromeliad Pod Borer (Epimorius testaceellus) Adult moth is brown with tan on wings (front wings darker) Males have more red-brown on wings

Bromeliad Pod Borer Feeds on and damages flower pods of Tillandsia fasciculata Not common but may be a localized severe pest Spins cocoon to pupate within excavated flower pod Occurs most frequently in March - May (main flowering period of T. fasciculata)

Management of Moths on Bromeliads Presence can be detected by discolored flowers, insect excrement on flower capsules Wasp parasitoid (Eurytoma aerflora) may prevent outbreaks (Glades and Miami-Dade Counties) Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.)

Mites Related to spiders and ticks Adults have 8 legs Puncture leaf and suck out plant juices Spider mites are occasional bromeliad pests (pineapple mite on Aechmea)

Mites Adult female lays several hundred eggs Eggs hatch in about 3 days 3 molts Can complete development from egg to adult in 7-10 days Lower leaf surfaces often have fine silken webbing across them UF-MREC

Mite Management Look for mites, eggs, cast skins Not all mites are harmful Insecticidal soap

Nematodes Unsegmented roundworms Most are microscopic Most feed on bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms Most that attack plants feed externally on the root, internally within the root, or internally within foliage

Reniform Nematode (Rotylenchus reniformis) Hosts include pineapple and many ornamental plants Found where soils have high silt or clay content (Miami-Dade County, Panhandle) Feed partially inside roots (female head region embedded) Symptoms appear like those of nutrient deficiencies or drought stress (yellowing, wilting, stunting, death)

Tylenchocriconema alleni Adult T. alleni Has been found twice on Tillandsia flabellata from Guatemala Has not been seen in Florida Bromeliads originating from Central America should be inspected

Tylenchocriconema alleni Feeds outside the leaf, piercing leaf cells with stylet (mouthparts) Found in plant’s crown, just below waterline T. Alleni feeding on Tillandsia flabellata leaf.

Symptoms of Infestation by Tylenchocriconema alleni Light brown spots on leaves, becoming dark lesions; clusters of nematodes and eggs on dried leaves appear wool-like

Nematode Management Prevent movement to other plants: Remove dead leaves Use clean stock Use clean soil Use clean containers and leave containers on benches (don’t let them touch the ground)

Snails and Slugs Both are gastropods, with a head, ventral muscular foot and shell (internal in slugs, external in snails) Damage usually at night (resembles adult bromeliad weevils or caterpillars) Hide in moist, dark areas in day Leave silvery slime trails Barriers or traps can be used for slugs UF-MREC

Mosquitoes Tank bromeliads serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes do not harm bromeliads but are a nuisance and public health threat to humans. Egg, larval and pupal stages are found in water. Michele M. Cutwa / UF

Mosquitoes Aedes albopictus is an efficient transmitter of West Nile virus, and Culex can transmit West Nile, Eastern equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis. In south Florida, the native Wyeomyia mosquitoes take over in tank bromeliads, displacing A. albopictus. Wyeomyia are not present in north Florida. Mosquito control in bromeliads is of greater concern in north Florida: J.L. Castner/UF

Management of Mosquitoes in Bromeliad Tanks Reduce organic matter in tanks (flush out debris with hose; put plants in shadehouse or greenhouse) Flush out eggs with hose (1-2 X per week) Methoprene briquettes (Altosid): add new tablets every 1 ½ to 2 months, one in each separate water hole

Scales Very small, soft-bodied insects 1st instars (crawlers) are mobile but later stages are legless, attaching themselves to the leaf Feed on plant juices with long stylet mouthparts Three largest scale families: armored scales, soft scales, mealybugs

Scales Armored scales that affect bromeliads: Florida red scale (Chrysomphalus aonidum) Boisduval scale (Diaspis boisduvalii) pineapple scale (Diaspis bromeliae) flyspeck scale (Gymnaspis aechmeae) Lataniae scale (Hemiberlesia lataniae)

Armored Scales Eggs found under body of adult Females die soon after producing eggs Ist instar crawlers disperse to find feeding site, losing legs after first molt Males cannot feed after second molt

Scales Usually found on lower surface of older leaves Feeding damage results in yellow blotches UF-MREC

Scales Infestations may spread rapidly, especially where natural enemies are not present (greenhouse).

Scale Management Biological control: Encourage natural enemies; if scales are found, look for presence of natural enemies (lady beetles, emergence holes of parasitic wasps)

Scale Management Mechanical control: Remove individual scales with finger, cotton swab or tool (wash plants after removing adults to wash off eggs) Strong water spray

Scale Management Chemical control: Use insecticides labeled for ornamentals or greenhouse use (read label carefully). Insecticides don’t kill adult scales, so apply when crawlers are present and repeat application after 7-14 days. Insecticidal soaps (no residual activity) usually require 2-4 applications at 3-7 day intervals. UF-MREC

Mealybugs Many bromeliad growers find mealybugs to be the main insect problem.

Mealybugs Soft-bodied, with waxy coating Suck out plant juices with mouthparts

Mealybugs Mealybugs often form dense colonies. Some enclose eggs in a waxy sac. UF-MREC

Mealybugs Produce white cottony patches Presence of ants may indicate presence of mealybugs (mealybugs produce honeydew) Management is as for scale

Root mealybugs Can become serious because they aren’t easily seen Main sign of infestation is decline in plant health Remove plant from pot to observe white mealybugs on roots, with waxy material UF-MREC

Root Mealybug Management Key to Management is Prevention: Inspect roots of newly acquired plants Re-pot to avoid root-bound plants Use clean pots and media Discard or treat (with soil drench) infested plants to prevent spread Don’t let water from infested plants drain into clean areas (crawlers can be moved in water)

Weevils At least 25 species of weevils (mostly Metamasius spp.) are known to attack bromeliads in the neotropics. 3 species of Metamasius are now found in Florida.

First detected in FL in 1989 (Ft. Lauderdale) Native to Mexico and Central America In south Florida, probably has at least 3-4 continuous generations per year Attacks both ornamentals and native Florida bromeliads (resulting in state listing of 2 species as endangered) Mexican Bromeliad Weevil (Metamasius callizona)

Distribution of Mexican Bromeliad Weevil in Florida Reported in 17 counties By 2001, found in 16 counties Northern limits determined by host plant ranges

Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Life Cycle Adult females lay eggs in slits in the leaves close to where they feed. Larvae mine the meristemmatic tissue, tunneling deep into the base of the plant. Adults mainly feed on leaves and sometimes on inflorescence. Pupal (resting) stage is passed in cocoon made from shredded plant material. J. Salas J.L. Castner / UF

Symptoms of Weevil Damage Tunneling by the larvae produces holes in the base of the stem, dislodging the plant from its support structure in the tree. Larvae may also tunnel up and damage the inflorescence. J. Yawn

Symptoms of Weevil Damage Gel produced by plant Adult feeding marks on leaves

Symptoms of Weevil Damage Browning of leaves

Symptoms of Weevil Damage Decomposition of leaves at base (middle of plant can be pulled out easily)

Bromeliad Genera Known to Be Susceptible in Florida Aechmea Ananas Canistrum Catopsis Cryptanthus Dyckia Guzmania Hohenbergia Neoregelia Nidularium Orthophytum Quesnelia Tillandsia Vriesea

Florida Bromeliad Weevil Not a threat to Florida’s native bromeliads Rarely seen on ornamental bromeliads Smaller than Mexican bromeliad weevil Attacks seedlings

Other Bromeliad Weevils That Could Potentially Immigrate to Florida Metamasius sellatus Has been intercepted by USDA/APHIS inspectors on bromeliads entering FL J. Lotz/DPI

Other Bromeliad Weevils That Could Potentially Immigrate to Florida Metamasius quadrilineatus Has been intercepted by USDA/APHIS inspectors on bromeliads entering FL

Other Bromeliad Weevils That Could Potentially Immigrate to Florida Metamasius flavopictus Has been found by FL bromeliad growers on imported shipments J. Lotz/DPI

Other Bromeliad Weevils That Could Potentially Immigrate to Florida Metamasius cincinnatus J.L. Castner/UF

Other Bromeliad Weevils That Could Potentially Immigrate to Florida Metamasius dimidiatipennis P. Choate/UF

Other Bromeliad Weevils That Could Potentially Immigrate to Florida Metamasius nudiventris

Other Bromeliad Weevils That Could Potentially Immigrate to Florida Other Bromeliad Weevils That Could Potentially Immigrate to Florida Metamasius rugipectus

Management of Bromeliad Weevils Prevention of further spread of Mexican bromeliad weevil: check plants before moving Prevention of additional invasives: Import only seeds of bromeliads or apply pesticide dip

Management of Bromeliad Weevils on Ornamental Bromeliads Monitor plants frequently for damage and separate infested plants. Some growers have successfully used carbaryl (Sevin), but no chemical trials have been conducted for Mexican bromeliad weevil, and effectiveness in killing eggs is unknown.

Biological Control of Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Biological control research in progress: Parasitic tachinid fly (Admontia sp.) from Honduras is under study Non-target testing needed for release permit

Biological Control of Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Adult fly deposits maggots at tunnel entrance. Fly maggots seek out weevil larva and feed within. Maggots come out to pupate.

Biological Control of Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Releases will be made in natural areas in south Florida, where weevil populations are high. Parks and other protected lands are priority areas. Goal is not to eradicate weevil but to reduce damage.

General Considerations for Management of Insect and Related Pests on Bromeliads General Considerations for Management of Insect and Related Pests on Bromeliads Inspect plants regularly to catch damage early. Inspect all incoming plants. Unstressed plants can better resist insect damage. Phytotoxicity is a problem for bromeliads (test first). Never use oil-based insecticides on bromeliads (bromeliads absorb water and minerals through leaves). Don’t apply chemical pesticides unless necessary. Always read and follow label instructions on pesticides.

For Further Information: Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies: Bromeliad Society International: Bromeliad Biota: Save Florida’s Native Bromeliads: University of Florida Insect Management Guides:

Author: Barbra Larson, University of Florida Photos: University of Florida FDACS/DPI Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies O.R. Creel J. Salas J. Yawn R. Cave Entomology and Nematology Department University of Florida Copyright 2002