Avocado trees are susceptible to a range of pests that can cause significant damage to the trees and fruits. Such pests are thrips, spider mites and ants.

Thrips

Thrips are a concern as they feed on avocado flowers and young fruits, resulting in scarred surfaces and deformities. Common species in avocado are Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), Blossom thrips (Frankliniella insularis) and Avocado thrips (Scirtothrips perseae).

Spider mites

Spider mite is another common pest that attacks avocado trees, causing discoloration of leaves, webbing, and leaf drop. In avocado the species Oligonychus perseae and Avocado brown mite (Oligonychus punicae) are commonly occurring.

Leafcutter ants

Leafcutter ants can be an important pest especially in young trees as they can defoliate entire trees and use the leaves to cultivate their fungus gardens.

By monitoring avocado trees for these pests and using appropriate control methods, growers can effectively manage pest populations and reduce the risk of damage to their crops. 

Biological pest control plays a crucial role in avocado crops. It offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides, reducing the negative impacts on ecosystems and human health. By utilizing beneficial insects and organisms, biological pest control minimizes the need for synthetic chemicals, thereby promoting a more sustainable agricultural system. Additionally, biological control methods are often highly specific, targeting pests while minimizing harm to beneficial organisms and pollinators. This helps maintain a balanced ecosystem within the papaya crop, preserving biodiversity and promoting long-term ecological stability. Moreover, biological pest control can help manage pesticide resistance, as pests are less likely to develop resistance against natural enemies. Overall, adopting biological pest control measures in avocado crops contributes to sustainable farming practices, reduces environmental risks, and ensures the production of healthy and high-quality fruits.

Thrips control

Thrips can be controlled with the use of predatory mites such as Amblyseius swirskii (Swirski-Mite, Swirski Ulti-Mite), the predatory bug Orius insidiosus (Thripor-I) and larvae of the lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (Chrysopa) which feed on thrips larvae. The entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (NoFly) can also be used to control thrips. Sticky ribbons (Rollertrap) and sticky traps (Horiver) combined with a luring substance (Lurem-TR) help in monitoring and trapping thrips.

Spider mite control

Spider mites are tiny pests that can quickly infest avocado trees, causing leaf damage and reducing fruit quality. They can be controlled with the use of predatory mites like Neoseiulus californicus (Spical, Spical Plus, Spical Ulti-Mite) and Amblyseius swirskii (Swirski-Mite, Ulti-Mite Swirski) which feed on spider mites and their eggs.

Leafcutter ant control

Leafcutter ants can be an important pest especially in young trees as they can defoliate entire trees. They can be managed by applying a glue around the stem, which prevents the ants from climbing in the trees. Koppert offers the product Pegafit for this purpose.

Pest monitoring in avocado cultivation is an essential practice to detect and manage pests effectively. By regularly monitoring the orchard, growers can identify pest populations early, assess their impact on avocado trees, and make informed decisions regarding pest control measures. Installing insect traps, like Horiver and Roller Traps, in the avocado orchard is a method to monitor thrips.

Root diseases

Root diseases such as Phytopthora cinnamoni, Pythium spp. and Fusarium spp. can cause significant problems including wilting of entire trees.

Soil treatments with the antagonistic fungus Trichoderma harzianum (Trianum-P) prevent problems with fungal diseases. Another product to help controlling diseases is the natural fungicide Nopath.