Fig-pest
Guides
Ceroplastes rusci
Fig Wax Scale
Ceroplastes rusci, commonly known as the fig wax scale, is a soft scale insect (family Coccidae) native to the Mediterranean region. First discovered in Florida in 1994-1995, it has since spread to numerous countries across six continents and is recognized as a significant agricultural and forestry pest. The species feeds on more than 94 genera from 52 plant families, with notable impacts on figs, citrus, grapes, and ornamental plants. Climate change modeling predicts expanding suitable habitat ranges through 2100, increasing its invasive potential in temperate regions.
Cotinis mutabilis
Figeater beetle, Green fruit beetle, Fig beetle, Western green June beetle
Cotinis mutabilis, commonly known as the figeater beetle or green fruit beetle, is a scarab beetle in the subfamily Cetoniinae (flower chafers). Native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, adults are medium to large, metallic green beetles that feed on ripe fruits, particularly figs, as well as flower nectar and pollen. The species is often mistaken for the eastern green June beetle (Cotinis nitida) and occasionally for the invasive Japanese beetle. Adults are strong fliers attracted to fermenting fruit odors and are active primarily in mid-summer through fall. Larvae develop in decomposing organic matter and compost.
Homotoma
fig psylla
Homotoma is a genus of psyllids (jumping plant-lice) erected by Félix Guérin-Méneville in 1844. Members are primarily Palaearctic in distribution and represent the type genus of the subfamily Homotominae. Species in this genus are strongly associated with Ficus (fig) host plants, with several species documented as pests of cultivated figs. The genus includes economically significant species such as Homotoma ficus and Homotoma indica.
Homotoma ficus
Mediterranean fig psyllid, fig psylla
Homotoma ficus is a Mediterranean psyllid species in the family Homotomidae, commonly known as the Mediterranean fig psyllid or fig psylla. It has been introduced to regions outside its native range, including Serbia, through the cultivation of fig plants. The species can cause economic damage to its host plant in certain years. First described by Linnaeus in 1758 as Chermes ficus, it is now classified under the genus Homotoma.
Neoptychodes trilineatus
Fig Tree Borer
A flat-faced longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae, notable for its variable coloration and distinctive three longitudinal bands. Males are larger than females, reaching up to 35 mm. The common name "Fig Tree Borer" reflects its association with Ficus species.
Paraleyrodes
nesting whiteflies, Bondar's nesting whitefly (for P. bondari), fig whitefly (for P. minei)
Paraleyrodes is a genus of whiteflies in the subfamily Aleurodicinae, commonly known as nesting whiteflies due to the woolly wax nests constructed by females around egg masses. The genus includes economically significant invasive species such as P. bondari (Bondar's nesting whitefly) and P. minei, which are pests of coconut, citrus, fig, avocado, and ornamental plants. Species in this genus are characterized by distinctive waxy secretions, sessile nymphal stages, and polyphagous feeding habits on woody plants.
whiteflyinvasive-pestagricultural-pestornamental-pestAleurodicinaecoconut-pestcitrus-pestfig-pestavocado-pestwoolly-wax-nestspolyphagousphloem-feederhoneydew-producersooty-moldFlorida-pestCalifornia-pestIndia-pestBangladesh-pestCroatia-pestGreece-pestnatural-enemiesbiological-controlintegrated-pest-managementRussellaspis
oleander pit scale, fig pit scale
Russellaspis is a genus of armored scale insects (Asterolecaniidae) known primarily from the species R. pustulans, commonly called the oleander pit scale or fig pit scale. These insects are parthenogenetic, with no known males, and are significant agricultural pests on fruit trees and ornamental plants in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The genus is characterized by its pit-inducing feeding damage on host plants and its ability to complete multiple generations annually under favorable conditions.
Zaprionus
Fig Flies
Zaprionus is a genus of fruit flies in the family Drosophilidae, distinguished by conspicuous white longitudinal stripes across the head and thorax. The genus is divided into two subgenera based on stripe number: Zaprionus (even number of stripes) and Anaprionus (odd number of stripes). Species occur primarily in Africa and southern Asia, with several species showing invasive expansion. The genus is taxonomically nested within the paraphyletic genus Drosophila.
Drosophilidaefruit-fliesinvasive-specieszebra-stripesAfrotropicalOrientalagricultural-pestfermenting-fruitparasitoid-hostkleptoparasitismoviscapt-structureegg-filamentsfig-pestgrape-pestberry-pesttropicalsubgenus-Zaprionussubgenus-Anaprionuscompetitive-displacementsecondary-pestmonitoringvinegar-traprange-expansionMediterranean-invasionNew-World-invasionHawaiian-IslandsSoutheast-AsiaWest-Africapolyphagousdecomposernutrient-cyclingPachycrepoideus-vindemiaeSpalangia-endiusLeptopilina-boulardiinterspecific-competitiondevelopmental-plasticitytemperature-effectsfungal-interactionsPichia-kudriavzeviiCoquillett-1901taxonomic-revisionmolecular-phylogeneticsforeleg-spinestrichome-structureslight-polarizationcuticular-pigmentationspecies-groups-armatus-inermis-vittiger-neglectusspecies-subgroups-armatus-tuberculatus-vrydaghi-montanus-spinosus-inermis-tuberculatus-sepsoides-davidi-indianus-ornatus-proximus-sexvittatus-vittigerspecies-complexes-armatus-hoplophorus-vrydaghi-sepsoides-tuberculatus-davidi-indianus-ornatus-proximus-sexvittatus-vittigerZ.-africanusZ.-armatusZ.-bogoriensisZ.-burlaiZ.-camerounensisZ.-campestrisZ.-capensisZ.-cercociliarisZ.-cercusZ.-davidiZ.-enoplomerusZ.-flavofasciatusZ.-fumipennisZ.-gabonicusZ.-ghesquiereiZ.-grandisZ.-hoplophorusZ.-inermisZ.-indianusZ.-kolodkinaeZ.-koroleuZ.-lachaiseiZ.-lineosusZ.-litosZ.-mascariensisZ.-momorticusZ.-montanusZ.-multistriatusZ.-multivittigerZ.-neglectusZ.-niabuZ.-obscuricornisZ.-ornatusZ.-proximusZ.-pyinoolwinensisZ.-santomensisZ.-sepsoidesZ.-seguyiZ.-serratusZ.-sexstriatusZ.-sexvittatusZ.-silvistriatusZ.-spinilineosusZ.-spinipesZ.-spinoarmatusZ.-spineusZ.-spinosusZ.-taronusZ.-tsacasiZ.-tuberarmatusZ.-tuberculatusZ.-verrucaZ.-vittigerZ.-vrydaghiZ.-aungsaniZ.-arduusZ.-badyiZ.-orissaensisZaprionus indianus
African fig fly
Zaprionus indianus is a highly invasive drosophilid fruit fly native to West and Central Africa that has established populations across tropical and temperate regions worldwide. It is distinguished by striking longitudinal black and white stripes on the head and thorax. Unlike many invasive drosophilids, it cannot penetrate intact fruit skin and instead exploits pre-existing wounds or oviposition holes made by other species, particularly spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii). It is a significant pest of figs, grapes, and other soft fruits, and exhibits strong interspecific competitive ability.