01/03/2018
Here's what's up... Opogono sacchari is what is killing Hawaiian coconut trees; otherwise known as the Banana Moth. Not phytopthera, which is what people have been thinking for many years in Hawaii. At the top where the sprouting frond use to be, moth eggs were laid, and the larvae hatched, devouring the crown frond, turning your favorite tree into an infested breeding ground for this invasive species. Once the #1 shoot has been eaten, it is too late, and moisture builds up, larvae keep thriving, and the fungal rots set in. What you can do HOWEVER~ is remove the affected tree, the top especially. Take it to a green waste facility, or burn it, and/or spray it with BT (an organic caterpillar killer). The longer this tree stands, the more the banana moth will spread. They have a 45day life cycle. The best defense against this moth i’ve found so far, is a bug zapper. Banana moth is a true moth, and is nocturnal. Adult moths will fly to their own demise. An 80 watt Flowtron in just one week can remove 80+% of your adult moths from over 1 acre. Please, hit me up if you have any other questions.
