What's eating my feijoa?

Guava moth is feijoa's most destructive pest — caterpillars bore into fruit, causing internal rotting that is invisible until the fruit is opened. Scale insects and mealybugs weaken shoots, and fruit flies attack in warmer regions. Bagging developing fruit and clearing fallen fruit promptly are the most effective controls.

Caterpillars bore into developing fruit, creating frass-filled entry holes; flesh turns brown and rots from within. Bag individual fruit clusters with fine mesh or paper bags; remove and destroy fallen fruit; apply approved caterpillar spray at flowering.

Waxy bumps encrust stems and branches; heavy infestations weaken growth and produce sticky honeydew inviting sooty mould. Apply horticultural oil spray targeting crawlers; prune densely affected stems and dispose of cuttings away from the tree.

White woolly masses on new growth and in leaf axils; honeydew coats leaves and promotes sooty mould. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators such as ladybirds and lacewings.

Females sting ripening fruit; maggots break down internal flesh, making fruit inedible. Use protein-bait traps; remove fallen fruit daily; bag clusters at small-fruit stage; apply spinosad bait sprays.