• Narrow distribution. Indonesia, Oceania. On Ficus (fig) species. A minor pest.
• Larvae strip the surface, mostly on older leaves. (Leaves are boiled or baked as a 'cabbage').
• Eggs laid in circular masses on underside of leaves. Grubs yellow, then black, 12 mm, with obvious hairs. Eat in unison. Pupate at base of tree. Adults brown with reddish heads.
• Cultural control: hand-pick or squash the larvae; or cut off the leaves and branches if too numerous; prune trees making it easier to collect the insects.
• Chemical control: none recommended because of residues, and likely to be uneconomic.

Fig-leaf beetles

The genus is Poneridia (family Chrysomelidae); there are several similar species, but not all the species of Poneridia feed on figs.