A neighbor here in the Kona / Captain Cook area of The Big Island Hawaii has several coconut palms which developed a very tattered leaf appearance following pruning / trimming of fronds - about 3-4 weeks after pruning. A leaf sample sent to UH-Manoa diagnosed the presence of Thielaviopsis paradoxa and recommended treatment with Mancozeb to try + control the spread of the fungus. Is this treatment likely to work? Univ. of Florida literature indicates this fungus is deadly (just a matter of time before it destroys the upper trunk)? Another neighbor who has significant experience + knowledge on Palms + Fruit Trees (Hawaii Island Fruit Growers Association) also suspects caterpillar damage. Very dry conditions and elevation (about 1000 feet) often lead to caterpillar 'browsing' on coconut palm fronds on Big Island - and a tattered leaf appearance. Accepted treatment of caterpillars is with BT - a fungus.

 a. is the Mancozeb treatment for Thielaviopsis paradoxa likely to work?

 b. will the Mancozeb treatment counter-act the effort to control caterpillars via BT?

Comments + suggestions most welcome !

Hi Ken - I live in Kona - this fungus is transmitted by tree trimmers. There are several treatments which have proven successful. However, the symptoms are the dying off of older leaves until the center is affected, then death. So, the caterpillar damage is something unrelated, and another story.

Send me a PM (Private Message) and I can give you the phone number of a landscape specialist here in Kona that has a flyer and all the info you would need to address these problems. He told me he would send it to you if asked.