Tropical Research And Education Center

Tropical Entomology - Avocado Lacebug

Pseudacysta perseae (Hiedemann) (Heteroptera: Tingidae)

Description

The avocado lace bug, Pseudacysta perseae, was considered a minor pest of avocadoes until severe outbreaks were observed during the 90s. The adults are oblong shaped, brownish with numerous small "lace like cells" in the thorax and wings; they are observed on the leaf underside, where they feed, extracting juices from the plant. They usually live in colonies, depositing eggs in irregular rows in clusters on the lower leaf surface. The eggs are covered with a dark, sticky secretion from the adults. Upon emergence the first instar nymphs start to feed by sucking the juices of leaf cells in the vicinity of the oviposition site. The avocado lace bug goes through 4 nymphal stages, that show difference in the shape.

Damage

Part of plant damaged: Leaves

Avocado lace bug feeds extracting juices from the leaves and cause a gradual localized destruction of the plant cells. The resulting chlorotic areas will become brown and necrotic, and they are an indication of the presence of the lace bugs. Injuries from lace bug activities provided the infection court for the anthracnose fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the cause of the large necrotic blotches on the leaves, that first catches ones attention when surveying avocado and other hosts.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of the avocado lace bug was reported by Abud Antum (1991) to be 22 days from egg to adult stage. Lace bugs begin a steady build-up in January and March.