Pest & Disease Reference

Search pests and diseases by name, affected crop, or severity. Includes prevention and organic treatment advice.

124 results

Cabbage Aphidpest

Insect / Pest

Cabbage aphids are one of several aphid species that can be problematic in canola crops.Photo: Andrew Weeks, Cesar Australia

Aphidspest

Insect / Pest

Check the underside of leaves for eggsPhoto: https://www.worldofchillies.com/

Diamondback Mothpest

Insect / Pest

Diamondback Moths are found throughout PNG and are very active in the main brassica growing regions.Photo: https://biologicalservices.com.au/pests/diamondback-moth/

Flea Beetlepest

Insect / Pest

A shiny black crucifer flea beetle making holes in a green leafPhoto: https://extension.umn.edu/

Galip Nut Borerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Galip Nut

Adult galip weevilPhoto: Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides

Sweet Potato Hornwormpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Sweet Potato

Sweet potato hornworm larva, Note colours range from green, brown to black.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Banana Weevil Borerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Banana-ripe

Adult banana weevilPhoto: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Taro Beetlepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Taro

An adult taro beetlePhoto: https://pacificfarmers.com/

Taro Planthopperpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Taro

Taro planthoppers prefer sites on the plant where humidity is highest.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Cluster Caterpillarpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Taro

A medium cluster caterpillar larvaePhoto: https://thebeatsheet.com.au/

Pineapple Scalepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Pineapple

Pineapple scale insectsPhoto: USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

Banana Aphidpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Banana-ripe

Colony of Banana AphidsPhoto: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Broad Mitepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Capsicum

Extensive damage of the young leaves caused by the broad mitePhoto: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Carrot Rust Flypest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Carrot

A mature carrot rust fly, Chamaepsila rosaePhoto: https://ausveg.com.au/knowledge-hub/exotic-plant-pest-profile-carrot-rust-fly/

Cassava Green Mitepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Cassava

Cassava green mite adult and egg (Eric Boa, CABI)Photo: https://plantwiseplusknowledgebank.org/

Cassava Mealybugpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Cassava

Cassava mealybug, distorting terminal shoot of cassava.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Cucumber Beetlepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Cucumber

Western spotted cucumber beetle.Photo: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/

Groundnut Leaf Minerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Peanut

A highly destructive pest for legumes, particularly groundnuts and soybeans.Photo: https://huntinorganics.com/crops/groundnut/

Nematodespest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Banana-ripe

Progressive development of root rot symptoms (from left to right) by the burrowing nematode in banana roots.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Onion Maggotpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Bulb Onion

Onion plant infested with maggots.Photo: https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management

Termitespest

Insect / Pest

Termites are a devastating pest for peanut (groundnut) cropsPhoto: https://www.smithereen.com/

Whiteflypest

Insect / Pest

Whitefly - an issue for tomato and cucumber growersPhoto: https://www.grower2grower.co.nz/

Thripspest

Insect / Pest

Adult Thrips are about 1.5 mm long with red eyes.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Cocoa Pod Borerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Cocoa

Pupa of cocoa pod borer inside a silk cocoon on the underside of a leaf.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Coconut Stick Insectpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Coconut

Male and female stick insectPhoto: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Corn Earwormpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Corn

Earworm larvae come in many different colorsPhoto: J. Obermeyer

Diamondback Moth (DBM)pest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Cabbage

DMB is a small, grey-brown moth, a pest that is present worldwide.Photo: https://horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/

Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Eggplant

A fruit borer pupa in an eggplant fruitPhoto: NBAIR

Fall Armywormpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Corn

Mature larva of the fall armyworm. Note the inverted Y on the head, and the bristles from black spots.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Ginger Shoot Borerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Ginger

About 2 cm fully grown shoot borer larvaePhoto: NBAIR

Green Scalepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Coffee

Adult coffee green scales on coffee stem.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Longicorn Beetlepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Cocoa

Cocoa longicorn bettlePhoto: Felix Fleck

Rhinoceros Beetlepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Coconut

An adult coconut Rhinoceros BeetlePhoto: https://www.kauaiisc.org/pests/coconut-rhinoceros-beetle/

Root-Knot Nematodepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Ginger

An uprooted plant with root knot nematode infection.Photo: https://www.almanac.com/pest/root-knot-nematodes

Spider Mitepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Eggplant

Stippling caused by spider mites on eggplant.Photo: https://hgic.clemson.edu/

Ratspest

Insect / Pest

Nut eating rodent/ratPhoto: https://www.knau.org/

Citrus Leafminerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Orange

Signs of a citrus leafminer on citrus leafPhoto: https://grangettos.com/

Fruit Flypest

Insect / Pest

Pacific Fruit FlyPhoto: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Leaf Rollerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Avocado

The pupa is bright green when first formedPhoto: http://industry.nzavocado.co.nz/leafroller/

Mealybugpest

Insect / Pest

Adult mealybugs showing the long white waxy fringe around the body.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Pumpkin Beetlepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:ChokoPumpkin

The pumpkin beetle targets pumpkins, cucumbers, melons and zucchinis, and chokoPhoto: https://citynews.com.au/2025/beware-the-dreaded-pumpkin-beetle/

Rhizome Scalepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Turmeric

Damaged rhizomesPhoto: https://plantwiseplusknowledgebank.org/

Pod Borerpest

Insect / Pest

Large bean podborer larva (16 mm) in podPhoto: https://thebeatsheet.com.au/

Stem Borerpest

Insect / Pest

Larva of the sugarcane borer inside the stem of sugarcane.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Scale Insectspest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Orange

Red scale initially infests citrus fruit and is one of the most damaging scale pests of citrus.Photo: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/citrus-insects-related-pests/

Yam Beetlepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Yam

Adult yam rose beetlePhoto: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Rustpest

Insect / Pest

Rust caused leaf spots on lemon grassPhoto: S. Nelson

Fig Psyllidpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Kumu Musong

A tiny, sap-sucking insects (jumping plant lice) that specifically target Ficus speciesPhoto: portioid

Shoot Borerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Turmeric

A major pest that significantly reduces crop yieldPhoto: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/

Bruchid (Storage Beetle)pest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Mung Bean

Cowpea bruchid (weevil) adults (3mm) in field peas, harvestedPhoto: https://thebeatsheet.com.au/

Sweet Potato Weevilpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Sweet Potato
Bean Fly (Stem Fly)pest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Mung Bean

Adult stem flyPhoto: https://thebeatsheet.com.au/

Stink Bugpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Soya Bean

Knowing the stink bug's life cycle aids scouting and control practices.Photo: https://www.dtnpf.com/

Sago Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus)pest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Sago

Am adult Sago Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus)Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhynchophorus_vulneratus

Rice Stem Borerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Rice

Rice stem borer larva.Photo: https://plantwiseplusknowledgebank.org/

Rice Bugpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Rice

A most common species of rice bugPhoto: http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/

Bean Flypest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Snake Bean

A bean fly pupaPhoto: CABI

Fruit Borerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Chilli

Larva shows colour variation from greenish to brownPhoto: https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/

Cabbage Looperpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Cabbage

Cabbage looper larvae can be distinguished from most other caterpillars in cole crops by their distinctive looping movementPhoto: https://www.saferbrand.com/

Coffee Berry Borer (CBB)pest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Coffee

Adult coffee berry borer about 1.5-2.2 mm long, showing its relative size to a coffee bean.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Citrus Leaf Minerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Lime

strange silvery squiggly lines on your citrus leavesPhoto: https://www.citrusspot.com/

Citrus Scalepest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Lime

tiny insects that suck sap from the citrus tree and then produce honeydew.Photo: https://www.fruitsaladtrees.com/

Mitespest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Passionfruit

Spider mite can be seen at arrow tipPhoto: https://snowdropfarm.com/

Tomato Fruit Borerpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Tomato

Mature larvae bore circular holes.Photo: https://highyieldsagro.com/

Potato Tuber Mothpest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Potato

Adult potato tuber motPhoto: https://pestsofbhutan.nppc.gov.bt/

Mango Fruit Flypest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Mango

Adult female fruit flyPhoto: Scott Bauer, via Wikimedia commons

Mango Scale Insectspest

Insect / Pest

Affects:Mango

Small white or cottony taches on the mango leavesPhoto: https://www.zerimarlaboratoire.com/

Sweet Potato Virus Disease (SPVD)disease

Co-infection of Sweet Potato Feathery Mottle Virus and Sweet Potato Chlorotic Stunt Virus, spread by whiteflies and aphids

Affects:Sweet Potato
Taro Leaf Blightdisease

Oomycete pathogen Phytophthora colocasiae, spread by wind-blown rain and water splash

Affects:Taro
Panama Disease (Fusarium Wilt)disease

Soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense. Persists in soil for decades. Spread through contaminated soil, water, and planting material.

Affects:Banana-ripe
Black Rotdisease

Fungus (Ceratocystis fimbriata) spread through contaminated planting material and soil

Severe infection of cabbage leaves by the black rot bacteriumPhoto: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Corm Rotdisease

Various soil fungi (Pythium, Fusarium) favoured by poor drainage and wounded corms

Affects:Taro

Extensive rot over the entire corm (right), and plants lacking fine feeder roots (left)Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Leaf Spotdisease

Fungal pathogens favoured by prolonged wet conditions and poor air circulation

Papaya Ringspot Virusdisease

Potyvirus spread by aphids in a non-persistent manner (quick transmission)

Affects:Papaya
Root Rot (Phytophthora)disease

Phytophthora palmivora fungus thriving in waterlogged, poorly drained soils

Affects:PapayaOrange
Leaf Spot (Early and Late)disease

Fungal pathogens (Cercospora arachidicola and Phaeoisariopsis personata) favoured by wet, humid conditions

Affects:Peanut
Purple Blotchdisease

Fungus Alternaria porri, favoured by warm, humid conditions and leaf wetness

Affects:Bulb Onion
Leaf Blightdisease

Fungal pathogens (Alternaria dauci and Cercospora carotae) spread by water splash and humid conditions

Root Forking and Crackingdisease

Not a disease - caused by stones in soil, fresh manure, uneven watering, or soil compaction

Affects:Carrot
Powdery Mildewdisease

Fungal pathogen favoured by warm dry days and cool nights with high humidity

Basal Rotdisease

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cepae, soil-borne fungus that enters through wounds

Affects:Bulb Onion

Symptom on bulbPhoto: https://plantwiseplusknowledgebank.org/

Cassava Brown Streak Diseasedisease

Ipomoviruses transmitted by whiteflies and infected cuttings

Affects:Cassava

Patches developing from the secondary veins have joined with those from adjacent veins.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Cassava Mosaic Diseasedisease

Geminiviruses transmitted by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and through infected cuttings

Affects:Cassava

Whole cassava plant showing severe symptoms of African cassava mosaic virus.Photo: Phil Taylor

Gummy Stem Blightdisease

Didymella bryoniae fungus, spread by rain splash and contaminated seed

Affects:Pumpkin
Maize Streak Virusdisease

Virus transmitted by leafhopper insects (Cicadulina species)

Affects:Corn
Rhizome Rot (Soft Rot)disease

Pythium species fungi favoured by waterlogged, poorly drained conditions

Affects:Ginger
Phomopsis Blightdisease

Phomopsis vexans fungus, seed-borne and spread by rain splash

Affects:Eggplant
Vascular Streak Dieback (VSD)disease

Ceratobasidium theobromae fungus, spread by wind-borne basidiospores at night

Affects:Cocoa
Black Pod Diseasedisease

Phytophthora palmivora fungus, spread by rain splash and insects, worst in wet season

Affects:Cocoa

The water mouldh as infected the pod and then grown from the pod into the branch.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Coffee Berry Disease (CBD)disease

Colletotrichum kahawae fungus, favoured by cool wet conditions in highlands

Affects:Coffee

The coffee berry diseasePhoto: https://infonet-biovision.org/

Clubrootdisease

Plasmodiophora brassicae soil organism, persists in soil for 15+ years, favoured by acid soil

Affects:Cabbage

Galls on the roots typical of infection by club root, Plasmodiophora brassicae. Not the last of fine roots.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Bogia Coconut Syndromedisease

Phytoplasma disease transmitted by planthopper insects. Lethal disease found in PNG.

Affects:Coconut

Yellowing of fronds is an early symptom on palms with Bogia coconut syndromePhoto: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR)disease

Hemileia vastatrix fungus, spread by wind and rain, worse at lower altitudes and high humidity

Affects:Coffee

Intense coffee leaf rust sporulation on an Arabica leaf.Photo: Harry Evans

Phytophthora Root Rotdisease

Phytophthora cinnamomi, soil-borne pathogen thriving in wet poorly drained soil

Affects:Avocado
Fusarium Wiltdisease

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum, soil-borne fungus persisting in soil for years

Yam Anthracnosedisease

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides fungus, spread by rain splash and infected planting material

Affects:Yam
Tuber Rotdisease

Various fungi and bacteria entering through wounds, favoured by waterlogged soil and damaged tubers

Affects:Yam
Root Rotdisease

Phytophthora and other soil fungi in waterlogged poorly drained soils

Rhizome Rotdisease

Pythium and Fusarium fungi thriving in waterlogged, poorly drained conditions

Affects:Turmeric
False Rustdisease

Synchytrium psophocarpi, a fungal pathogen specific to winged bean

Affects:Winged Bean

Onion downy mildew is a disease of onions and related crops that damages foliage and bulbsPhoto: https://www.cropscience.bayer.co.nz/

Citrus Cankerdisease

Xanthomonas citri bacteria, spread by wind-driven rain and contaminated tools

Affects:OrangeLime

Close-up of the pustules formed by citrus canker, Xanthomonas citri, showing yellow haloes.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Fruit Rotdisease

Various fungi (Phytophthora, Rhizopus) entering through wounds, favoured by wet weather

Affects:Breadfruit

Fruit infection by on breadfruit. The white area is the cottony growth or body of the water mould (it is not a fungus) and contains the spores.Photo: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Leaf Scorchdisease

Drought stress or mineral deficiency rather than a true disease

Rice Blastdisease

Magnaporthe oryzae fungus, spread by wind-borne spores, favoured by humid conditions and excess nitrogen

Affects:Rice
Trunk Rotdisease

Fungal infection through wounds in the trunk, often following insect damage

Affects:Sago
Soybean Rustdisease

Phakopsora pachyrhizi fungus, spread by wind-borne spores, favoured by warm humid conditions

Affects:Soya Bean
Mung Bean Yellow Mosaic Virusdisease

Begomovirus transmitted by whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

Affects:Mung Bean
Aflatoxin Contaminationdisease

Aspergillus fungi infect pods in drought-stressed conditions or during improper drying and storage

Affects:Peanut
Anthracnosedisease

Colletotrichum orbiculare fungus, spread by rain splash and infected seed

Affected Watermelon Leaf & FruitPhoto: https://cropcare.co.ke/

Bacterial Leaf Blightdisease

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae bacteria, spread by wind-driven rain and infected seed

Affects:Rice

Lesions caused by bacterial blightPhoto: http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/

Bacterial Pustuledisease

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines bacteria, spread by rain splash and infected seed

Affects:Soya Bean

Light green lesions with small, raised blistersPhoto: https://soybeanresearchinfo.com/

Downy Mildewdisease

Peronospora destructor oomycete, spread by wind and rain, favoured by cool wet conditions

Pale green to yellow oval-shaped patches appear on the middle to upper sections of older leaves.Photo: https://www.cropscience.bayer.co.nz/

Bacterial Wiltdisease

Ralstonia solanacearum, soil-borne bacteria persisting for years in soil

Rapid wilting of young leavesPhoto: https://ephytia.inrae.fr/

Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)disease

Virus spread by banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa). Also spread through infected planting material.

Affects:Banana-ripe

"Morse-code” pattern that is formed by dark green streaking of veins in the leaf lamina, midribs and petiolesPhoto: Scot Nelson

Bud Rotdisease

Phytophthora palmivora and other pathogens, favoured by wet conditions and damage to crown

Affects:Coconut

Basal stem rot of coconut seedlingPhoto: Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Early Blightdisease

Caused by the fungus Alternaria solani, favoured by warm humid conditions and overhead irrigation.

Affects:Tomato
Late Blightdisease

Caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, spread by wind-borne spores in cool wet weather.

Affects:Potato
Common Scabdisease

Caused by Streptomyces bacteria, worse in alkaline soils and dry weather.

Affects:Potato
Damping Offdisease

Soil-borne fungi (Pythium, Rhizoctonia) thriving in cool wet overcrowded conditions.

Affects:Pakchoi
Heart Rotdisease

Phytophthora cinnamomi attacking the central growing point, worse in waterlogged soils.

Affects:Pineapple
Smutdisease

Caused by the fungus Sporisorium scitamineum carried on infected setts.

Affects:Sugarcane
Aspergillus Moulddisease

Aspergillus fungi growing on damp kernels stored before fully dry.

Affects:Galip Nut
Cowpea Mosaic Virusdisease

Spread by aphids feeding from infected plants to healthy ones.

Affects:Snake Bean
Brown Spotdisease

Caused by Alternaria fungi, worse in humid weather.

Affects:Passionfruit