- Restricted. Africa (Madagascar), South and Southeast Asia, Oceania. New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea. Catacanthus punctus in Fiji.
- On cashew, ornamentals (e.g., Ixora), forest trees.
- A stink bug; smell when disturbed! Suck sap causing leaves and stems to wilt and fruit to drop. Eggs laid in large batches; nymphs black and white. Adults variable colours – cream, orange, red, yellow - with two pairs of large black spots. Adults produce an aggregate pheromone: hundreds mass on cashew and Delonix regia.
- Natural enemies: few; Trissolcus basalis (egg parasitoid) introduced into Pacific islands; possibly ants take the eggs (see Fact Sheet no. 98).
- Cultural control: handpicking on small shrubs.
- Chemical control: PDPs - derris, pyrethrum, chilli, possibly neem (see Fact Sheet no. 402); alternatively, use synthetic pyrethroids, but these will likely kill natural enemies.
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