Pritchardia pacifica

[Moose]

A specimen sized Pritchardia pacifica in the North Coral Gables area. Unfortunately it is infested with spiral whitefly and cover with sooty mold.

 

[kwtimo]

Wow, looks like quite a specimen. Unfortunately, here in Key West, Pritchardia is just one of several species of palms that have been seriously damaged by white fly. Coconuts, Adonidia, Chambeyronia, Ptychosperma and Veitchia are also getting hit hard. I have even seen Thrinax radiata, alta, and alta hybrids affected. White fly pretty much reached epidemic proportions last year, and it looks to be another challenging and frustrating year since they are getting less selective about their host plants. You should see what they do to bananas and Heliconias!