Major Insect Pests

of Coconut and Their

Control

AMBROSIO RAUL R. ALFILER

Division Chief III
Entomology-Epidemiology Division
Philippine Coconut Authority- Albay Research Center
Thosea
philippina Leaf feeding
slug caterpillars

Setora tagalog
Leaf feeding slug caterpillars

Microthosea minima
 Leaf feeding slug caterpillars

Thosea
boreocaerulae
Destructive Stage
Slug caterpillar larva
Damage by slug caterpillar
Damage by slug caterpillar
Control of Leaf feeding Slug caterpillars
 Biological Control
Parasitoids against Slug caterpillar
 Biological Control
Fungus pathogens against Slug caterpillar
 Biological Control
Virus pathogens against Slug caterpillar
 Spraying palms
with virus solution
made from
macerated larvae
mixed with water
to control slug
caterpillar
infestations
Chemical Control

use of chemical pesticides

use of botanicalbiocides
Synthetic pesticides
Active ingredient Sample brand name
Aldicarb Temik 10G
Dichlorvos Nogos 50EC
Methidathion Supracide 40WP
Fenthion Lebaycid 50EC
Quinalphos Bayrusil 25EC
Azinphos methyl Gustathion A 40EC
Monocrotophos Azodrin 60WSC
Chlorfenvinhos Birlane 24EC
idiofenphos Nuvanol 50WP
Botanical biocides Tuba tuba
(Croton tiglium)
Tubang bakod
(Jatropa curcas)

Tubli
(Derris elliptica)
 Botanical biocides
Luyang dilaw
(Curcuma longa)

Marigold
(Tagetes erecta)
Pesticide spraying on young palms
Insecticide Application Safety

Disposal
Mixing

Spraying
 Leaf Sucking Insects
Coconut Scale Insect
Aspidiotus destructor
 Leaf Sucking Insects
Buff Coconut Mealybug
Nipaecoccus nipae
 Leaf Sucking Insects

Coconut Mealybug
Sangicoccus truncatispinus
 Leaf Sucking Insects
Coconut Aphid
Cerataphis palmae
 Leaf Sucking Insects

Coconut Aphid
Astegopterix nipae
Unidentified scale insects on coconut
Leaf sucking Insect - Destructive Stage
Adults and nymphs
Damage by coconut scale insect
Damage by coconut scale insect
Damage by coconut scale insect
Damage by coconut mealybug
Damage by coconut mealybug
Damage by
Coconut Scale Insect
on other host plants
Damage by coconut mealybug on other hosts
Other hosts of Scale Insect
and Mealybug
Other Palm hosts of Scale Insect and Mealybug
Control of Scale Insects, Mealybugs and Aphids
 Biological Control - Predators

Predatory Coleoptera (coccinellid beetles)

 Biological Control - Predators

Predatory Coleoptera (coccinellid beetles)

Biological Control - Predators

Predatory Neuroptera (lacewings)

 Biological Control - Predators

Predatory Lepidoptera - Lycaenidae

Mechanical Control

Leaf pruning
and disposal
of pruned
leaves by
burning

Wash fruits
with soapy
water
Leaf pruning and disposal of
pruned leaves by burning
Coconut trees 6 months after leaf pruning
Chemical Control

chemical pesticides

botanical biocides
Synthetic pesticides
Active ingredient Sample brand name
Aldicarb Temik 10G
Dichlorvos Nogos 50EC
Methidathion Supracide 40WP
Fenthion Lebaycid 50EC
Quinalphos Bayrusil 25EC
Azinphos methyl Gustathion A 40EC
Monocrotophos Azodrin 60WSC
Chlorfenvinhos Birlane 24EC
idiofenphos Nuvanol 50WP
Pesticide spraying on young palms
Botanical biocides Tuba tuba
Croton tiglium)
Tubang bakod
(Jatropa curcas)

Tubli
(Derris elliptica)
 Botanical biocides
Luyang dilaw
(Curcuma longa)

Marigold
(Tagetes erecta)
Insecticide Application Safety

Disposal
Mixing

Spraying
Coconut trees
8
months after
crown
spraying of
Malathion
 8 months after crown
spraying of Malathion
Leaf Pruning
with Chemical
Spraying of Tree
and Pruned Leaves
Chemical Control ??
Trunk injection method
of application of
systemic insecticide
 ISSUES ON PESTICIDE USE

Pest re-infestation
Insecticide resistance
Environmental safety
Health concerns
High cost
Farming systems (Organic farming)
 Chemical Control using Horticultural
Oils

Leaf pruning combined with

spraying of paraffinic
mineral oil with or without
addition of insecticide
Chemical Control using Horticultural Oils

Leaf pruning combined with

spraying of paraffinic mineral
oil on the pruned leaves
 Chemical Control using Horticultural Oils

Phytotoxicity of coconut oil

(virgin and refined) used as oil
spray to control A. destructor
in coconut seedlings
 What about the lost opportunities
from coconut farming due to pests?
Coconut Intercropping

Coconut-corn

Coconut-pineapple

Coconut-coffee-papaya
Typhoon Reming in Bicol
Coconut Fertilization
BEFORE
FERTILIZATION

18 MONTHS
AFTER
FERTILIZATION
 Control of Coconut Pests
Restoring coconut productivity with
appropriate control strategies
 Control of Coconut Pests
Complementing traditional farmers practices with
practical and appropriate pest control measures