Leaf curling of Pili nut (Canarium ovatum Engl.) seedlings in the nursery caused by Helopeltis sp.
2011
Galicia, G.L. | Lavarias, Ma. L.B., Bicol Univ., Guinobatan, Albay 4503 (Philippines). Dept. of Agricultural Sciences
Pili nut is considered a flagship commodity of the Bicol Region in the Southern Luzon part of Philippines. Most pili nut growers in the area maintain seedling banks in the nursery. Leaf curling of the Pili nut seedlings in Albay had been occasionally observed. Helopeltis sp., a Hemipteran insect was identified as the cause based on controlled experiments and seasonal abundance in the field. It was observed feeding on the immature leaves which produces dark spots of leaf surface after one week of inoculation and begins to curl as feeding continuous and eventually dries up. Populations of Helopeltis sp. collected consisted of two kinds namely, the orange and the black bugs. Both types were similar in size. The adults range from 6-8 mm long from the tip of the head of the folded wings. A dark pin-like structure protrudes from the center of the thorax in the adult stage. The nymphs range from 3-4 mm long with five (5) nymphal stages. Among the 327 insects belonging to seven (7) orders and arachnids collected within the four-month monitoring period. Hemipteran insects (123) were the most abundant. Other insect orders identified were Coleoptera (77), Homoptera (37), Hymenoptera (35), Orthoptera (24), Acarina (19) and Diptera (12). This paper reports on pili nut seedlings as a new host of this insect pest.
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