Symptoms
V-shaped or triangular cuts on palm fronds. Bore holes in the crown. Deformed and stunted new frond emergence. Severe attack kills the growing point, leading to plant death.
Prevention
Remove and destroy breeding sites (decaying logs, compost heaps). Apply entomopathogenic fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae) to breeding sites. Use pheromone traps. Fill crown with sand or naphthalene to deter adults.
Treatment
Organic
Apply Oryctes nudivirus (OrNV) biological control. Use Metarhizium anisopliae mycoinsecticide. Hook out adults manually from crown. Apply neem-based products to breeding sites.
Chemical (last resort)
Apply carbaryl or cypermethrin dust to crown. Treat breeding sites with chlorpyrifos. Chemical treatment is secondary to biological control for this pest.
Affects 2 crops
Sources
MARDI Coconut Pest Guide; DOA Extension Bulletin