One
of our neighbors has informed us of a concern that affects those
of you that have Royal Poinciana Trees.
The Royal Poinciana tree (Delonix regia) Caterpillar (Melipotis
acontioides) can be controlled by using one or more methods of
a 4 step methodology. This insect can completely decimate and
defoliate a tree. The frass has a very sweet smell and will stain
concrete or any other surface it falls on, when wet, and should
be removed by sweeping or the use of a vacuum-blower device. The
stain goes away in time as the frass biodegrades. Pressure washers
have little effect. The frass does not seem to show evidence of
being harmful to other plants or animals and possibly could be
considered as fertilizer.
In all instances listed below the label of the product should
be read and strict adherence to directions, application rates,
and possible adverse reactions should be carefully considered.
This is in no way meant to be a solution. This is just a list
of recommendations that may help in dealing with this problem.
An integrated pest management program will be necessary to control
this problem, as it now has become an infestation.
1. Use of a systemic insecticide such as Merit, Premise, or Bayer
Advanced. These products contain a chemical called Imidacloprid.
It is a neonicotinoid, which is a class of neuro-active insecticides
modeled after nicotine. A patented chemical, imidacloprid is manufactured
by Bayer Cropscience (part of Bayer AG) and sold under trade names
Kohinor, Admire, Advantage(Advocate), Gaucho, Merit, Prothor,
Turfthor, Confidor, Hachikusan, Premise, Prothor, Provado and
Winner. It is marketed as pest control, seed treatment, an insecticide
spray, termite control, flea control, and a systemic insecticide.
This product is spread around the base under the canopy, as it
must be absorbed by the roots and spread through the trees system.
This product has considerations as possibly contributing to European
honey bee hive collapse.
2. The use of a contact insecticide such as Seven Brand carbaryl
insecticide, Ortho Max insecticide, containing Bifenthrin, or
some other contact insecticide. This should be sprayed on the
insects either in the morning before the sun comes up, when they
come down to escape predators such as birds and wasps, or early
in the evening before they crawl up the tree to feed on the leaves.
3.
The use of a biological product such as Thuricide which contains
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a naturally occurring, soil borne
organism that has gained recent popularity for its ability to
control certain insect pests in a natural, environmentally friendly
manner. This insecticide must be sprayed on all leaves as it must
be eaten by the insects.
4. The use of burlap or similar material to wrap around the trunk
of the tree to capture the caterpillars and soaking the wraps
daily in a soapy solution to kill the caterpillars (larvae).
Go to this web site to see the insect and its phases.
http://collier.ifas.ufl.edu/CommHort/CommHortPubs/RPmoth.pdf
