Sexava: a pest of coconut and oil palm

Abstract

Sexava, sometimes called the coconut treehopper, is a large grasshopper which feeds on the leaves of coconuts, and oil palm (as well as betel nut, several kinds of wild palm, banana, and pandanus). In coconut palms, this pest can cause severe defoliation and fruit fall. Palms can take up to two years to recover their vigour.