A mealybug, Hypogeococcus pungens Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).  Specimens of this mealybug were collected from hibiscus at Waimanalo, Oahu, in September 2005.  Infestations of this mealybug resemble those of the pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), but the clusters of H. pungens are generally smaller. On hibiscus, terminal shoots were mostly affected by this mealybug.

A mealybug parasitoid, Aprostocetus sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).  Specimens of this mealybug parasitoid were reared from an infestation of Hypogeococcus pungens Granara de Willink collected from joyweed, a bedding plant, at a retirement housing site in Pawaa in June 2006. This parasitoid does not match other Aprostocetus species in the HDOA Insect Reference Collection and is new to the state.

A mealybug, Rhizoecus americanus Hambleton (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).  After receiving a rejection notice from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, HDOA personnel inspected a nursery at Panaewa on the island of Hawaii and collected samples of mealybugs from fishtail palm, Caryota mitis. This detection represents a new state record for this species.

A thrips, Thrips imaginis Bagnall (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).  During surveys to study ants at Haleakala National Park on July 11-14, 2003, specimens of this thrips were collected from litter extractions and beating of pukiawe, Styphelia tameiameiae, within the park. This collection in Hawaii represents a new U.S. record.  The distribution of this thrips includes Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Fiji. It is known as the “plague thrips” in Australia. Crops, such as apples, pears, tomatoes, roses, and other flowers, are sometimes seriously damaged.

A coconut whitefly, Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).  Specimens of this whitefly were first found on Maui on coconut tree foliage at Kihei in May 2006. Surveys conducted several months later revealed that this whitefly was widespread in Maui’s Central Valley. It has been recorded from coconut and other palms in tropical America, Samoa, and Florida. On Maui, nymphs of this whitefly have been observed to be heavily parasitized by a tiny wasp, tentatively believed to be a species of Encarsia.

European paper wasp, Polistes dominula Christ (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).  Specimens of this wasp were first collected in June 2006 by City and County of Honolulu Parks and Recreation personnel on Oahu after workers were stung as they were trimming trees. This potentially aggressive paper wasp hides its nest in voids and other enclosures, thus increasing the risk for unexpected encounters with human beings.   First recorded in North America in 1981, it has rapidly increased its distribution in the United States in the past 20 years. It is the most abundant paper wasp in countries around the Mediterranean, its native region.  Its distribution also includes southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East, eastward to China.

Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae).  Specimens of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) were first found in a sample of navel orange foliage submitted by a resident of Waiakea on the Island of Hawaii in May 2006 for advice on an infestation of aphids.  Subsequent surveys in the State revealed that ACP infestations were present only in the southeastern part of East Hawaii in the districts of South Hilo and Puna. Adult psyllids are small (3-4 mm), mottled, brown, winged, jumping insects. Immature psyllids, called nymphs, appear like greenish or dull orange, flattened scales. The host range of the ACP is restricted to citrus and other plants in the family Rutaceae, most favorably mock orange, Murraya paniculata, also known as orange jasmine. The ACP is a known vector of citrus greening disease (CGD), also known as Huanglongbing (HLB or yellow dragon disease) in Asia. This disease has devastated citrus trees in Asia, Africa, and Brazil. It causes mottling and yellowing of the veins of citrus leaves and misshapen, green, and bitter-tasting fruit. There is no known cure for this disease and the only option is to destroy infected plants. It is not yet known if CGD is present in Hawaii. Surveys will be initiated and samples collected and sent to a USDA facility at Gastonia in North Carolina for disease analysis.  Asian Citrus Psyllid New Pest Advisory

An armored scale, Pseudaulacaspis brimblecombei Williams (Hemiptera: Diaspididae).  After receiving information from the California Department of Food and Agriculture about this armored scale being occasionally intercepted on cut protea flowers exported from Hawaii to California since 2003, specimens previously collected at Kula, Maui, in 2000 were reexamined at the UH-CTAHR Insect Diagnostic Clinic. Those specimens were determined to be identical to currently identified P. brimblecombei specimens, thus confirming a new State record. Subsequent surveys conducted in Kula in May 2006 resulted in the collection of additional P. brimblecombei specimens.

Avocado thrips, Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).  Specimens of the avocado thrips were collected from the foliage and flowers of avocado, Persea americana, at Kula, Maui, in March 2006. Subsequent surveys revealed severe scarring on the fruit of avocado trees that were apparently caused by this thrips. The results of the surveys indicate that this species appears to be restricted to the Upcountry area of Maui. Literature information suggests that the avocado thrips is not suited to high temperatures.

Kelly’s citrus thrips, Pezothrips kellyanus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Specimens of this thrips were collected from loquat trees at Kula, Maui, in January 2006. According to the UH-CTAHR Insect Diagnostic Clinic, specimens were previously collected on Maui in 2000. This thrips is known from Australia and New Zealand. In New Zealand, it is mostly found on citrus leaves, flowers, and fruits.  Collections have also been made from the flowers of Compositae, Lycopersicon, Brassica, Acmena, and Camellia, and the leaves of Sparmannia africana.