Breadfruit is relatively disease and pest-free with most problems occurring regionally. The most common widespread problems include white fly, scale, mealy bugs, Cercospora leaf spot, and fruit rots caused by Phytophthora, Colletotrichum (anthracnose), and Rhizopus. The best way to deal with fruit rots is to remove affected fruits from the tree and not allow fruits to ripen on the tree or rot on the ground. Breadfruit is also a fruit fly host which currently limits the export potential of fresh fruits. Phellinus noxius, a root rot, can be a serious problem, especially when trees are planted in areas of recently cleared forest.