Rubber-tree-pest
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Leptopharsa
lace bugs
Leptopharsa is a genus of lace bugs in the family Tingidae containing more than 120 described species. Species within this genus are associated with diverse host plants, including palms and rubber trees, and several are economically significant agricultural pests. Leptopharsa gibbicarina is a major pest of oil palm in Colombia and Venezuela, vectoring the Pestalotiopsis fungal complex that causes leaf spot disease. Leptopharsa heveae is a principal pest of rubber tree plantations in Brazil, where it can reduce latex productivity by up to 30%.