Zophiuma lobulata Ghauri (Homoptera: Lophopidae) and its Relation to the Finschhafen Coconut Disorder in Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

Coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) in the Finschhafen area of the Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea are frequently affected by the feeding activities of Zophiuma lobulata Ghauri (Homoptera: Lophopidae), which causes bronzing of fronds, reduction in yield, marked
stunting of growth and occasionally, the death of young palms. Typical symptoms were induced 7-15 months after caging adult and immature leaf hoppers over potted coconut palms. Studies on the life history and egg parasitism rates in the field showed that the total
generation time was about four months, and included an 8-9 day egg incubation, 82-85 days in the immature nymphal stages and a 30 day preoviposition period. Egg masses were found to be heavily parasitised by an encyrtid wasp Ooencyrtus malayensis Ferriere which, in conjunction with entomophagous fungi may possibly exert a controlling influence on Z. lobulata populations occurring in other areas. A second encyrtid, gen. nr. Epiencyrtoides was also found to parasitise an egg mass in the Northern Province.