In Kenya, there is little documented information on insect damage to the mangroves which have apparently been infestation free until the current invasion by stem-boring moth larva. But in some parts of the world, infestation of mangrove stands and attacks on them have been reported and in some cases, solutions implemented and many stands saved. In Malaysia, conversion of Avicennia sp. Losses were mainly due to crab attack, often leading to mortality. Damage by scolytids was also rather marked.
Results suggest that large scale planting in Avicennia forests is feasible.
In Brazil, a tree climbing crab, Aratus pisonii is known to eat mangroves while in central Java and Indonesia, seedling of Rhizophora mucronata have been severely attacked by crabs. Two common terrestrial pathogenic fungi have been found to cause butt and heart rot on old growth stands of Rhizophora apiculata. These are Phellinus pachyphloeus and Phellinus rimosus. A foliage disease on young leaves was found to be a sooty mould caused by Meliola sp. The deer also graze on the leaves.