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Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

Coconut hispine beetle (059)

Photo 1. Adult hispine beetles, Brontispa longissima, between the leaflets of the spear leaf.

Photo 2. Large areas of decay caused by the feeding of the hispine beetle, Brontispa longissima, on the variety Malayan Dwarf.

Photo 3. Severely decayed leaves of Malayan dwarf seedling caused by the coconut hispine beetle, Brontispa longissima.

Summary

Widespread distribution. Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania. On coconuts, betel nut, sago palm, oil palm, and a number of ornamental and wild palms. An important pest.
Life cycle of beetle within unopened spear leaf. Grubs and adults chew young leaves giving a scorched look.
Damage severe on seedlings and young palms, making them more susceptible to drought and disease.
Natural enemies: several parasitoid wasps.
Cultural control: local varieties more tolerant than exotic types, e.g., Malayan Dwarf, and Federated Malay States are susceptible.
Chemical control: PDPs: chilli, derris, or pyrethrum; synthetic pyrethroids, but likely to kill natural enemies.

Common Name

Coconut hispine beetle, coconut leaf hispa

Scientific Name

Brontispa longissima

AUTHORS Helen Tsatsia & Grahame Jackson
Information from Waterhouse DF, Norris KR (1987) Biological Control Pacific Prospects. Inkata Press.

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

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