Coconut-pest
Guides
Aspidiotus
Aspidiotus is a genus of armored scale insects (family Diaspididae) comprising over 100 described species. Several species are significant agricultural pests, notably Aspidiotus destructor (coconut scale) and Aspidiotus nerii (oleander scale), which infest palms, fruit crops, and ornamental plants across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The genus is characterized by the hard, protective scale covering secreted by females. Species within Aspidiotus serve as hosts for specialized bacterial endosymbionts, particularly Candidatus Uzinura diaspidicola, which play roles in host nutrition and potentially influence invasive success.
Aspidiotus destructor
coconut scale, transparent scale, Bourbon scale
Aspidiotus destructor is an armored scale insect (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) known as the coconut scale. It is a globally distributed pest of tropical and subtropical agriculture, causing significant damage to coconut, banana, and numerous other fruit and ornamental plants. The species is notable for its rapid reproduction and the protective waxy test that covers most life stages. It has been the target of extensive biological control efforts, most famously the successful introduction of the lady beetle Cryptognatha nodiceps to Guam in the early 1900s. The species harbors a primary bacterial endosymbiont, Candidatus Uzinura diaspidicola, which may play a role in its biology and potential management.
Atheloca
Atheloca is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, containing two species: A. subrufella and A. bondari. Both species are associated with palms, particularly coconut (Cocos nucifera). A. subrufella occurs in the Americas from the southern United States through the Caribbean to Brazil, while A. bondari is found in South America and parts of Central America and the Caribbean. The genus was established by Carl Heinrich in 1956.
Cerataphis
witch hazel aphid, palm aphid
Cerataphis is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, tribe Cerataphidini. The genus comprises approximately 10–12 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Species in this genus are associated with host plants in the families Styracaceae (witch hazels), Arecaceae (palms), and Orchidaceae. Several species exhibit host alternation between primary hosts (Styrax species) and secondary hosts (palms or orchids). Some species are economically significant as pests of coconut, oil palm, and ornamental palms.
Comperiella
Comperiella is a genus of parasitic wasps in the family Encyrtidae, containing approximately 10 species. Species in this genus are internal parasitoids of armored scale insects (Diaspididae), with documented hosts including Aonidiella aurantii, A. citrina, A. orientalis, Aspidiotus rigidus, and Chrysomphalus ficus. Several species have been employed or studied as biological control agents against agricultural pests, particularly in citrus and coconut production systems. The genus was established by Howard in 1906.
Cryptognatha nodiceps
coconut scale predator, sugarcane scale predator
Cryptognatha nodiceps is a small lady beetle introduced to multiple tropical and subtropical regions as a biological control agent targeting scale insects. Native to Trinidad and Tobago, it has established populations across the Caribbean, Florida, and various Pacific and Indian Ocean islands. Both larvae and adults are specialized predators of armored and soft scales, particularly the coconut scale (Aspidiotus destructor). The species has been deliberately released in numerous countries to manage coconut scale outbreaks in coconut-growing regions.
Melittomma
Melittomma is a genus of ship-timber beetles (family Lymexylidae) comprising approximately 20 described species distributed pantropically. The genus is notable for larvae that bore into hardwoods and palm stems, with some species forming symbiotic associations with ambrosia fungi. Melittomma insulare is a serious pest of coconut palms in the Seychelles and Madagascar, causing structural damage that can lead to tree collapse. Adult females deposit fungal spores in a sticky matrix with their eggs, and larvae carry spores into wood on their bodies.
Paraleyrodes
nesting whiteflies, Bondar's nesting whitefly (for P. bondari), fig whitefly (for P. minei)
Paraleyrodes is a genus of whiteflies in the subfamily Aleurodicinae, commonly known as nesting whiteflies due to the woolly wax nests constructed by females around egg masses. The genus includes economically significant invasive species such as P. bondari (Bondar's nesting whitefly) and P. minei, which are pests of coconut, citrus, fig, avocado, and ornamental plants. Species in this genus are characterized by distinctive waxy secretions, sessile nymphal stages, and polyphagous feeding habits on woody plants.
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