Lobate Lac Scale (Paratachardina pseudolobata Kondo and Gullan) Invades from Oahu into Neighbor Islands: Statewide Survey in Hawaii.

In Hawaii, lobate lac scale was first detected on weeping banyan on Oahu in 2012. Since then, we have confirmed that lobate lac scale infests over 110 plant species in Hawaii, mainly ornamental and landscape plants in urban areas. The major impacts on host plants are dieback of twigs and branches, thinning of foliage, and death of the entire plant in some species. Given the frequency of interisland transportation of goods and people, it is likely that lobate lac scale spread to neighbor islands since its discovery on Oahu. We started this survey in January 2016 covering all major neighbor islands in Hawaii: Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai. Lobate lac scale was detected in Kona in May 2016, the first confirmed incidence of this pest on a neighbor island outside of Oahu. Lobate lac scale was detected in Lihue in January 2017, the first confirmed incidence of this pest on Kauai. With contribution from Hawaii Department of Agriculture, lobate lac scale was detected on Maui in May 2016. No lobate lac scale was detected on Molokai and Lanai in our survey. Inter-island shipping of nursery plants was considered the key route for the spread of lobate lac scale from Oahu to neighbor islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]