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At the same time, Anthracnose can cause quality decrease and extensive fruit losses, especially post-harvest. While no significant problems have been reported in Greece, Phytophthora Root Rot is considered the most common and catastrophic avocado disease, putting global production at risk.

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The major avocado diseases and how to control them Control by traps is sometimes needed, especially in the first three years of the avocado orchard establishment ( 4).

More specifically, gophers can damage sprinklers, divert the irrigation water due to tunnel digging, and damage the young avocado plants. In some countries, snails and rodents (like gophers and ground squirrels) may also become a persistent problem for avocado growers. Additionally, young avocado plants in the field are in danger from Branch and Twig Borer, European Earwig, False Chinch Bug, Fuller Rose Beetle, Grasshoppers, and June Beetles ( 3). Since plants are susceptible to such infestations at the seedling stage, the staff responsible must take all prevention and control measures. Aphids, White Flies, Cutworms, and leaf miners are more likely to become a problem in the avocado plant nursery. Other common pests of primary concern for avocado are the: Amorbia (Western Avocado Leafroller), Avocado Brown Mite, Greenhouse Thrips, Omnivorous Looper, Persea Mite, Polyphagous Shothole Borer, and Kuroshio Shothole Borer, Sixspotted Mite. Finally, modifying fertilization and pruning reduces the growth of tender new foliage, which is attractive to thrips ( 2). vespiformis) that can generally keep the insect under control. However, it is better to protect the natural enemies of the avocado thrip, like predatory thrips ( Franklinothrips orizabensis or F. Some other practical options are Veratran D + Sugar/Molasses, Success 2 SC + Narrow Range 415 Spray Oil, and Agri-Mek 0.15 EC + Narrow Range 415 Spray Oil ( 1). Application of products with abamectin can control thrips and persea mites at the same time. If the problem persists and pest control is needed, the grower can apply selective insecticides, always after discussing with a local licensed agronomist. If the population is under control by insects’ natural enemies, or/and slight damage occurs very early in the fruit setting, there is a possibility that the scars will not be so apparent as avocado enlarges (especially Hass avocados). Based on experimental results, 3-5 thrips per leaf can cause up to 38% fruit damage. This “alligator skin” is not commercially acceptable, leading to the avocado’s downgrading (B quality) and extended economic loss for the farmer. Almost all damage occurs when fruits are 5–15 mm (0.2 to 0.6 in) long. While the internal fruit quality is not affected, the insect can severely scar the skin. Depending on the temperature (ideally 18-24 oC or 65-75 oF), the insect may have more than six generations per year. Its population increases in (late) spring, moving from the foliage to the young fruits.

long), with an orange-yellow coloring (brown bands on their body and three red dots on the top of the head), and fringed-tipped wings. The adults are very small (0.7 mm or 0.03 in. Thrips are a key pest in most orchards worldwide that scars the avocado fruit. Avocado Pests and their Management methods

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