New Pest Found In Cacao In Indonesia

NEW PEST

New insect associated with cacao is recently found in Kowane Selatan, Sulawesi Tenggara, Indonesia, by research team from Indonesian Biotechnology Research Institute for Estate Crops who visited the site on October 22, 2009. The impact of its association with cacao is not clearly understood. Its nymph that looks like green plant hopper but definitely larger than that of the regular one, tend to flock around fruit stalk. The insect, approximately 6 mm length, moves around quickly on theCACAO surface FOUND IN of cacao pod. Honey secreted by the insect seems to attract red ants.

ON OCTOBER 22, 2009 IN SOUTH KONAWE, SOUTH EAST SULAWESI, INDONESIA

BY: DARMONO TANIWIRYONO, ASMINI BUDIANI, IRMA KRESNAWATY, SUMARYONO, AND IMRON RIYADI

Indonesian Biotechnology Research Institute for Estate Crops (IBRIEC) Jl. Taman Kencana No. 1, Bogor 16151, INDONESIA