What's eating my breadfruit?

Breadfruit is generally pest-resistant but fruit flies and a stem-boring moth (Zeuzera coffeae) cause the most significant damage. The coffee stem borer hollows branches, causing sudden dieback. Mealybugs and scale insects build up in humid conditions. Removing infested wood promptly and using traps for fruit flies keeps most plantings healthy.

Larvae tunnel into maturing fruit, causing internal rot and premature drop. Methyl eugenol or protein-bait traps; remove fallen fruit quickly; harvest at first sign of maturity.

Larvae bore into stems and branches, leaving entry holes with sawdust-like frass; affected branches wilt and die back suddenly. Prune and burn infested branches; inject insecticide or petrol into bore holes; seal cuts with Bordeaux paste.

White cottony masses on stems, leaf axils, and developing fruit; weakened growth and sooty mold. Neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays; trunk banding to exclude ants.

Encrusting flat or waxy scales on branches; yellowing leaves and reduced vigor in heavy infestations. Horticultural oil spray at crawler stage; prune and destroy badly infested wood.