Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #406008
Research Project: Postharvest Protection of Tropical Commodities for Improved Market Access and Quarantine Security

Location: Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research

Title: What’s new on macadamia insect pest management research in Hawaii?

Author
item Acebes-Doria, Angelita

Submitted to: SAMAC Journal
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/3/2023
Publication Date: 11/18/2023
Citation: Acebes-Doria, A.L. 2023. What’s new on macadamia insect pest management research in Hawaii?. In:SAMAC Journal. 9th International Macadamia Symposium (IMS), September 18-21, 2023, Durban, South Africa. p. 72-75.

Interpretive Summary: Macadamia is a highly valuable specialty crop mainly grown commercially in Hawaii, which is threatened by insect pests with limited options for management. This article summarizes the recent research efforts on the ecology and management of pests that are economically important to Hawaii macadamia nut production. This includes refinement of monitoring strategies for tropical nut borer, Cryptophlebia moths and macadamia felted coccid; as well as developing ecologically based management tactics for these pests.

Technical Abstract: Macadamia is a highly valuable specialty crop mainly grown commercially in Hawaii, which is threatened by insect pests with limited options for management. Nut-feeding pests such as the tropical nut borer and Cryptophlebia moths cause considerable yield losses annually; while the new invasive species, macadamia felted coccid, has caused significant tree health issues and tree death. This article summarizes the recent research efforts on the ecology and management of these pests. This includes refinement of monitoring strategies for tropical nut borer, Cryptophlebia moths and macadamia felted coccid; as well as establishing the behavioral mechanisms for ecologically based management tactics. New information derived from these recent initiatives will be useful for furthering the development of sustainable pest management practices in Hawaii macadamia production.