Dieback of Reed Likely Caused by Reed Scale Insect (𝘕𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘰𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴)

Small area of reed at Sha Po Marsh in Kam Tin area was found to have turned yellow and wilted on 12 August 2022. Subsequent investigation on 23 August found that the area of wilted reeds had expanded to an estimated area of 0.5 hectare. On 18 August, fifteen wilted adult reed shoots were examined and had many scale insects consisting of both adults and young instars, probably Nipponaclerda biwakoensis, under the leaf sheaths.

Read more