Royal palm bug

Xylastodoris luteolus Barber (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae)

Orientation to pest

Royal palm bug, Xylastodoris luteolus Barber, is a sucking bug that feeds on immature leaves of royal palm (Roystonea regia [Kunth] O.F. Cook). If densities are high, this feeding may cause browning of affected foliage.

Hosts commonly attacked

This sucking bug feeds on royal palm (R. regia), sometimes called Florida royal palm or Cuban royal palm.

Distribution

This insect's native range is Cuba, but it also occurs in southern Florida.

Images of the royal palm bug

Lyle Buss, University of Florida, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Doug Caldwell, Univ. Florida, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Dr. A. D. Ali, Davey Tree Expert Company, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024 Dr. A. D. Ali, Davey Tree Expert Company, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Figure 1. Adults of royal palm bug, Xylastodoris luteolus
Doug Caldwell, Univ. Florida, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Figure 2. Close view of damage to Florida royal palms by the royal palm bug	Figure 3. Damage to Florida royal palm frond by the royal palm bug	Figure 4. Whole tree view of damage to Florida royal palm frond by the royal palm bug

Important biological control agents related to this pest species

Specialized natural enemies of this species are unknown.

Web links for information on the royal palm bug

• Featured Creature Fact Sheet | University of Florida and FDACS

Articles

• Weissling, T. J., F. W. Howard, and A. W. Meerow. Royal palm bug, Xylastodoris luteolus Barber (Insecta: Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae). EENY-097 University of Florida IFAS Extension. (Available at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in254)
• Ali, A. D. and D. Caldwell. .2010. Royal palm bug Xylastodoris luteolus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) control with soil-applied systemics. Florida Entomologist 93: 294-297.