Lethal-yellowing

Guides

• Haplaxius crudus

  American Palm Cixiid, palm leafhopper

  Haplaxius crudus is a cixiid planthopper and the primary known vector of lethal yellowing phytoplasma, a devastating disease of palms. The species has a complex life cycle split between two distinct host groups: nymphs develop on grasses and sedges, while adults feed exclusively on palms. This host alternation makes management challenging, as nymphs and adults occupy different habitats. The species is economically significant across the Caribbean, Florida, and tropical America, where it has caused millions of palm deaths and substantial agricultural losses.

  vectorphytoplasmapalm-pestplanthoppercixiidaelethal-yellowingoil-palmcoconutinvasive-potentialagricultural-pestmonocot-feederhost-alternationintegrated-pest-managementsticky-trap-monitoringspatial-aggregation

• Oncometopia nigricans

  Black-winged Sharpshooter

  Oncometopia nigricans, commonly known as the Black-winged Sharpshooter, is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, tribe Proconiini. It is a suspected vector of lethal yellowing disease of coconut palms, a devastating phytoplasma disease affecting coconut production. The species has been documented in Florida and Brazil (Bahia), with studies focusing on its molting patterns and longevity across various host plants.

  sharpshooterleafhoppervectorcoconutlethal-yellowingProconiiniCicadellidaeHemiptera