Premature Coconut Nutfall and <i>Amblypelta cocophaga</i> China (Hemiptera, Coreidae) in Solomon Islands

Abstract The causal organism of premature nutfall of coconuts is the coreiid bug, Amblypelta cocophaga China. There are several species of Amblypelta which are spread throughout Melanesia, Northern Australia, and Indonesia. Only Amblypelta cocophaga cocophaga and Amblypelta cocophaga malaitensis are associated with severe premature nutfall of coconuts. Amblypelta cocophaga has also been reported by EPPO and CABI to be present in Fiji and Singapore, but both records are erroneous. Premature nutfall of coconuts has always been associated with four dominant ant species, Oecophylla smaragdina and Anoploleplis gracilipes are antagonistic to A. cocophaga whereas Pheidole megacephala and Philidris myrmecodiae are not. Spraying the base of the palm to kill ants, and inter-planting with soursop trees to encourage O. smaragdina has shown promise in controlling nutfall. The little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata, was accidentally introduced into Solomon Islands in the 1960s and was accidentally spread around the country. It has proven beneficial in stopping premature nutfall. Currently premature nutfall is hard to find. Biosecurity is an essential component of effective pest management. Eradication of new pests is often not possible, economic, or necessary. Prevention of movement of organisms into new areas is still the most effective biosecurity tool. Information © The Author 2024