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Myllocerus undatus having lunch

A new pest has arrived in South Florida that can do some alarming damage to red mangrove leaves in a short space of time. The Myllocerus undatus Marshall is a weevil recently discovered in southeastern Florida from Homestead in the south to Boca Raton in the north. A native of Sri Lanka, these weevils will chew mangrove leaves until there is nothing left to eat. They will attack a variety of both indoor and outdoor plants. We have found that popcorn ceilings attract them and occasionally find one attached to a ceiling. We have found that a wack with a flip-flop is the most effective deterrent at this time.

Besides mangroves, these weevils attack lychee, longan, mamey, areca palms, hibiscus, Australian brush-cherry, cocoplum, tropical almond, crepe-myrtle, akee, citrus, grapefruit, Hong Kong orchid tree, orchid tree, powderpuff, Surinam cherry, orange jasmine, calomondin, red silk-cotton tree, seagrape, Florida trema or neetletree, salt bush or groundsel bush, loquat, Turk's cap, castor bean, earleaf acacia, mother-in-law tongue, black olive, bottlebrush, carrotwood, golden dewdrops, upland cotton, peach, live oak and palms - just about everything that grows in South Florida is a meal for Myllocerus undatus Marshall.

Mealy bugs may also attach themselves to mangrove seedlings and the undersides of leaves. Your first line of defense should be physical control... squish the bugs with your fingers. Next, follow up with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, dabbing each insect, paying close attention to where the leaf attaches to the stem. Repeat this process until you have eliminated the bugs. Insecticidal soap is an effective alternative to alcohol in their removal.

In Florida and Australia, fungi infestation defoliates and kills red mangroves. Insects such as scales and caterpillars cause defoliation and seedlings are especially vulnerable to the boring beetle.

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What are Mangroves?	Florida's Mangroves	Worldwide Mangrove Communities
How Mangroves Grow	Commercial Uses	Recreational Uses
Medicinal Uses	Seedlings for Your Home	Potting Your Seedlings
Mangrove Pests	Mangroves in Aquariums	Betta Fish and Mangroves
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Mangroves are available for shipping on a seasonal basis.
Please e-mail us to inquire about available sizes and quantites as these change monthly.

Telephone: 321.426.4765       Florida Department of Plant Industry #47232018