The Long-horned Tree-hopper of coco-nuts Sexava spp.

Abstract

This pest is commonly known as the “ Coco-nut grasshopper ”, but the term ‘‘grasshopper” so applied is decidedly a misnomer, and leads to confusion with the “ grasshopper ” of plague fame, that is common in so many parts of the world, and which belongs to a totally different family of insects and varies both in structure and habits.

All stages of this pest feed on the foliage of the coco-nut palm, and where present in plague form they will practically completely defoliate the palms, resulting in such a setback as to stop production for eighteen months to two years.