Tropical-agriculture
Guides
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.
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.
Chaetopsis massyla
corn silk fly, picture-winged fly
Chaetopsis massyla is a picture-winged fly (Diptera: Ulidiidae) and major agricultural pest of fresh market sweet corn in tropical and semitropical regions. Larvae develop within corn ears, feeding on developing kernels beneath protective husks, causing direct damage and secondary fungal contamination that renders cobs unmarketable. Mature larvae exit cobs and pupate in soil at depths influenced by substrate type and moisture. The species is native to the Americas, with established populations in Florida and documented occurrence in Mexico and Argentina.
Colocasia
elephant ears, taro, cocoyam, dasheen, eddoe
Colocasia is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants in the family Araceae, native to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The genus includes the economically important species C. esculenta (taro), widely cultivated for its edible corms and leaves across tropical and subtropical regions. Plants are characterized by large sagittate leaves and reproduce primarily through underground corms and rhizomes. Several species have become naturalized beyond their native range, with C. esculenta recognized as invasive in wetland habitats along the Gulf Coast of the United States.
Cosmopolites
Cosmopolites is a genus of true weevils in the subfamily Dryophthorinae, tribe Sphenophorini. The genus contains at least five described species, with Cosmopolites sordidus (banana weevil) as the type species and most economically important member. Species in this genus are associated with monocot hosts, particularly banana and plantain plants.
Cunaxoidinae
Cunaxoidinae is a subfamily of predatory mites in the family Cunaxidae (Acari: Prostigmata). The Philippine fauna comprises 21 species. Members occupy diverse microhabitats including leaf litter, bark, organic debris, ant and termite nests, and coconut foliage. The subfamily includes genera such as Lupaeus and Scutopalus.
Cyladini
Cyladini is a tribe of weevils in the family Brentidae, subfamily Apioninae. The tribe includes economically significant pests of sweet potato, particularly the sweetpotato weevil (Cylas formicarius), which causes substantial damage to storage roots in tropical and subtropical production regions. Members of this tribe are characterized by their association with Convolvulaceae host plants and their status as specialized root-feeding pests.
pestagriculturesweet-potatoConvolvulaceaeintegrated-pest-managementCylas-formicariustropical-agriculturesubtropical-agricultureroot-feeding-weevilstorage-root-damageeconomic-pestbiological-controlcrop-protectionsoutheastern-United-Statesglobal-food-securitylow-input-farmingdrought-tolerant-cropnematode-interactionsBeauveria-bassianaentomopathogenic-nematodesresistant-varietiescrop-rotationcover-cropsIPMBrentidaeApioninaeColeopteraInsectaHexapodaArthropodaAnimaliaClaire-SchloemerAuburn-UniversityUniversity-of-Wisconsin-MadisonJournal-of-Integrated-Pest-ManagementScott-GrahamKathy-LawrenceCovingtonBonitaBeauregardOrleansguava-root-knot-nematoderoot-knot-nematodewirewormcucumber-beetleflea-beetlePurpureocillium-lilacinumbiopesticidegreen-bridge-effectmustardglucosinolatepeanutbahiagrasssandy-soildrought-adaptationbiofuelanimal-feednutritional-valuefood-securitysustainable-agricultureenvironmental-impactmicrobial-controlfungal-pathogenentomopathogenic-fungusbiological-nematicidenematode-egg-parasitismpest-managementagricultural-entomologycrop-lossyield-reductionroot-qualitymarketabilityintegrated-managementcultural-controlselective-chemical-useproductivitynatural-processesversatilityglobal-cultivationtropical-regionssubtropical-regionssoutheastern-U.S.domestic-productionrevenueacreageharvestfarminggrowerbreedingresearchcultivar-developmentevolving-threatspest-pressuresoil-healthfield-preparationwinter-habitatinsect-habitatparasitisminfestationdamagelosschallengedefensearsenalbattlewarresilienceadaptationinnovationstrategysustainabilitylivelihoodnourishmentfood-productionagricultural-researchentomologyplant-protectioncrop-sciencehorticultureroot-croptuberstorage-organfeeding-injurygallingcracked-rootsstunted-growthwater-uptakenutrient-uptakepathogen-interactionexacerbated-damagevariety-selectionhardy-varietyrobust-performancehigh-yieldnematode-resistancepest-resistancevulnerabilityspreading-pestpopulation-reductionsoil-improvementspring-plantingtoxic-compoundnatural-propertymicrobial-productformulationapplicationevaluationmaximizationpotentialurgencygrowing-threatcomprehensive-strategybalanceenablementessential-cropsecuritydefiancedifficult-conditionsmenacing-pestsformidable-threatsproduction-continuationface-to-facethreatdiseaseresilient-cropgrowing-conditionsmenacestorysurfacebeneathrelentlessadversaryfavorconditionpowerfulfoetinyparasiteattackformationdiminishabilityresultunattractiveworsematterinteractionsignificantdevastatingruininflictfurthercompromisegrapplethankfullyfarmerbeginselecthardywithstandtraditionalgaintractionvulnerablehighlightneedcontinuebreedeffortdevelopcapableopposeevolveaftersturdyculturalmanagementrotationcovercroppinglinetakeyearoffgrowrotatenon-hostproveeffectivereducepopulationbreathelifeimprovehealthsuppressprepareexamplecontaincompoundcallbreakdownreleasesubstancewaryproviderepresentmethodharnesshelpwinsporefungusinfectkilltypetapdifferentmicroscopicanimalparasitizeplususecombatattentioneggaidfightminimizeimpactdespiteadvancequestionremainrequiremaximizeparticularlyurgentposekeyenhanceapproachintegratepracticecontrolselectivechemicalenablenaturalprocessnutritionalvalueessentialcropglobalfoodregionsupportmillionaddresspressureinnovativesustainableensurelivemanyformidableproductionalthoughcomefaceresilientabledefydifficultreadmorejournalintegratedClaireSchloemerPh.D.studentconductearnmasterdegreeemailsharelinkfriendopennewwindowprintFacebookLinkedInBlueskyMastodonXRedditThreadsrelateddiscoverfromtodaysubscribegetlatestpostsendyourCylasformicariussweetpotatosweetpotatoweevilphotocourtesyshowherecucumberbeetleroot-knotnematodeharmU.S.guidedetailvarietyoptionbeloveddelicioustastebenefitbrightcolorrankseventhmostimportantworldtropicalsubtropicalareaaroundservefeedsourcegoodpicklow-inputstylewelladaptedsandysoildroughtUnitedStates2022over130,000acregeneratenearly600southeasternleaddomesticAuburnUniversityweatherarticlepublishMarchcolleagueScottGrahamKathyLawrencevariousamongplant-parasiticspecificallyrootsystemcausegallplantwaternutrientstuntedgrowthyieldcrackmakeinteractpathogenexacerbateinsectknowstorage7annualsouthernfleaqualityleaveeconomicownresistancebettermeanwhilenewerhighrobustperformancehoweverresistguavaspeciesspreadnextseasonwinterfieldspringtoxicgreenbridgeeffecthabitatfeedersymptominfectionbiologicalpropertymicrobeBeauveriabassianaagentformulateenvironmentallyfriendlyproducteasyapplysimilarlybeneficialentomopathogenicnematicidePurpureocilliumlilacinumsolutionenvironmentalresistantnematode-resistantcultivarcomprehensivecultivationWisconsin-MadisoncschloemerwisceduCylas
sweet potato weevils
Cylas is a genus of sweet potato weevils comprising over 20 described species, classified in the monogeneric tribe Cyladini within the subfamily Brentinae. The genus contains major agricultural pests, particularly Cylas formicarius, which is considered the most serious pest of sweet potato worldwide. Several species including C. formicarius, C. brunneus, and C. puncticollis are known to infest sweet potato crops, causing substantial economic losses through damage to storage roots and vines.
Diaphania indica
cucumber moth, cotton caterpillar, leaf roller
Diaphania indica is a widespread moth species occurring primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, native to southern Asia. It is a significant agricultural pest of cucurbitaceous crops, with larvae feeding on leaves, stems, and fruits of host plants. The species has been documented on multiple continents and is subject to biological control efforts using parasitoid wasps. Laboratory studies have established detailed demographic parameters and life cycle duration.
Euscepes
hidden snout weevils
Euscepes is a genus of hidden snout weevils in the family Curculionidae, containing at least 20 described species. The genus includes significant agricultural pests, most notably Euscepes postfasciatus (West Indian sweetpotato weevil), which infests sweet potato crops across tropical and subtropical regions. Research on this genus has focused heavily on reproductive behavior and sterile insect technique applications for pest management.
Euxesta stigmatias
Cornsilk fly, Maize silk fly
Euxesta stigmatias is a picture-winged fly (family Ulidiidae) known as the cornsilk fly, a significant agricultural pest of maize in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. The species has established invasive populations in North America, including Florida and Hawaii. Larvae develop inside corn ears, feeding on silk and kernels, where they are protected from insecticide applications by the surrounding plant tissue. The species exhibits a normally saprophytic lifestyle but becomes destructive when corn is available.
Kerriidae
Lac insects, Lac scales
Kerriidae is a family of scale insects in the order Hemiptera, commonly known as lac insects or lac scales. Members secrete a protective waxy resin called lac, which is commercially harvested and processed into shellac, dyes, food glazes, and wood finishes. The family includes economically important genera such as Kerria, Tachardina, and Paratachardina, with Kerria lacca being the most widely cultivated species for lac production. Some species have become invasive pests outside their native ranges, while others are valued for their role in sustainable agroecosystems.
Maruca
bean pod borers
Maruca is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, commonly known as bean pod borers. The genus includes economically significant agricultural pests, particularly Maruca vitrata (legume pod borer), which attacks a wide range of legume crops. Species in this genus are distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific. The larvae are specialized feeders on leguminous plants, causing damage to pods and seeds.
Metamasius hemipterus sericeus
silky cane weevil, West Indian sugarcane weevil
Metamasius hemipterus sericeus, commonly known as the silky cane weevil or West Indian sugarcane weevil, is a subspecies of weevil in the family Curculionidae. It is a significant agricultural pest of sugarcane and ornamental palms, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The species is notable for its male-produced aggregation pheromones, which attract both sexes and are synergized by host plant volatiles. Management is challenging due to the cryptic habitat of boring larvae and high reproductive potential.
Nacoleia
Banana scab moth (for N. octasema)
Nacoleia is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Pyraustinae. The genus includes agricultural pests, most notably Nacoleia octasema (banana scab moth), which damages banana crops in tropical Asia and the Pacific. Some species serve as hosts for polyembryonic parasitoid wasps. The genus was established by Walker in 1859.
Peregrinus maidis
corn planthopper, corn delphacid, sorghum shoot bug, shoot bug
Peregrinus maidis is a small planthopper in the family Delphacidae, widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is a significant agricultural pest of maize, sorghum, and sugarcane, causing direct damage through phloem feeding and acting as a vector for several important plant viruses including maize mosaic virus and maize stripe virus. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with females larger than males, and displays wing dimorphism with brachypterous (short-winged) and macropterous (long-winged) forms that develop in response to environmental conditions.
Prococcus acutissimus
banana-shaped scale
Prococcus acutissimus is a soft scale insect (family Coccidae) originally described from Sri Lanka in 1896. It is commonly known as the banana-shaped scale, reflecting its distinctive body form. The species has become widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, with records spanning the Indo-Pacific, Africa, the Caribbean, and North America. It is associated with diverse host plants and has been observed on agricultural crops, though specific economic impacts remain poorly documented.
Prosapia
froghoppers, spittlebugs
Prosapia is a genus of froghoppers (family Ischnorhinidae) comprising approximately six described species distributed across North and Central America, including the Caribbean. These insects are commonly known as spittlebugs due to the protective foamy masses produced by nymphs. Several species are significant agricultural pests of forage grasses, turfgrasses, and sugarcane, causing economic damage through xylem feeding that induces water stress, tissue death, and reduced forage quality. The genus includes the invasive two-lined spittlebug (P. bicincta), which established in Hawaiʻi in 2016 and has since damaged thousands of hectares of cattle pastures.
Pyroderces
cosmet moths
Pyroderces is a genus of small moths in the family Cosmopterigidae, subfamily Cosmopteriginae. The genus includes species with diverse ecological roles: some, such as Pyroderces rileyi, are agricultural pests of banana and other crops, while others have been identified as potential supplementary pollinators of oil palm in Malaysia. The genus was established by Herrich-Schäffer in 1853. Taxonomic boundaries remain fluid, with some authors including the genus Anatrachyntis within Pyroderces.
Scutellista caerulea
Scutellista caerulea is a small parasitoid wasp in the family Pteromalidae, widely used as a biological control agent against soft scale insects (Coccoidea). The species is an ectoparasitoid, with larvae feeding externally on host eggs concealed beneath the adult scale insect's body. Laboratory studies have established optimal rearing conditions at 30–33°C with 12–14 hours of daylight and supplementary carbohydrate nutrition for adults. The species demonstrates particular effectiveness in tropical environments where other parasitoids may fail.
Sternochetus
Sternochetus is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Cryptorhynchinae. The genus contains at least three described species, including Sternochetus mangiferae (mango seed weevil), Sternochetus frigidus (mango pulp weevil), and Sternochetus olivieri. These species are economically significant pests of mango (Mangifera indica) and related species. Adults are compact weevils with a characteristic habit of pressing their legs to their body and fitting their beak into a ventral groove when disturbed. The genus was established by Pierce in 1917, with some species previously described under Curculio.
Zabrotes subfasciatus
Mexican bean weevil
Zabrotes subfasciatus, commonly known as the Mexican bean weevil, is a small bruchine beetle that infests stored legume seeds, particularly common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Females deposit eggs on seed coats; larvae develop endophytically within the cotyledons, consuming the seed from the inside. A single seed can support up to 20 emerging adults. The species has demonstrated capacity to utilize alternative hosts including cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), lentil, chickpea, and soybean, with populations showing plasticity in host preference through artificial selection. Development from egg to adult takes approximately 34 days at 27°C and 70% relative humidity. Maximum female fecundity is around 55 eggs. The species is a significant post-harvest pest in tropical regions, with reported production losses up to 35%.