The Damage: Why This Bug Is a Major Pest
This feeding activity has severe consequences for the host tree:
Direct Damage: Sap loss weakens branches, causes flowers and young fruit to drop, and leads to wilting and dieback of new growth.
Indirect Damage: Their feeding punctures create entry points for fungal and bacterial pathogens.
Economic Impact: Infestations result in significantly reduced fruit yield, misshapen fruit, and poor overall crop quality, posing a real threat to the livelihoods of lychee and longan farmers.
How to Identify an Infestation
Early detection is key to control. Look for these signs:
Egg Clusters: The small, round, pellet-like eggs on leaves or bark.
