March 2013. Apparently galls of some sort on soursop (Annona muricata) in Soufriere, Saint Lucia. Is this a Caribbean pest or an exotic? Any advice on management would also be greatly appreciated. We’re currently in the dry seasons (but rains fall regularly). The galls are only observed on the fruit (photo, left), most are at a similar stage of development. This is the first time these symptoms were observed.

A member said: From the size of the fruit as compared to the leaves, it seems to be a very young fruit. This maybe an attack by a scale insect. To check, did anybody open up these brown structures and report what is inside? Mealybugs or soft scales are often seen on developing soursop, often in combination with ants attending them, but this is unusual.

A moderator wrote, “I agree with Ernst and Gillian that you have a scale insect. Some time ago I found a similar infestation on soursop in Solomon Islands, and Gillian helped with the identification. I am attaching a picture (photo, right). I have done a fact sheet and that can be accessed through the Pestnet website or going straight to http://terracircle.org.au/solomon-islands-farmer-fact-sheets/. If you use the flipping books go to no. 66.

If it is the same as the fact sheet then it could be a Saissetia species.The fact sheet describes S. coffeae, but there are said to be other species in Solomon Islands, and I guess in the Caribbean, too”.