INSECT DIAGNOSTICS +
BIODIVERSITY CAPACITY BUILDING

Papua New Guinea
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COLLECTING INSECTS
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FACT SHEETS
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Factsheets for common insect pests in the Pacific

These are also available in the Pacific Pests and Pathogens App (downloadable for Apple and Android devices).

If you have photos and suggestions for other insect pests in Papua New Guinea or information on insect pests, contact PestNet: www.pestnet.org


Species English common name Family Order Principal crops attacked Link to Fact sheet Synonyms
Aphis gossypii Aphid Aphididae Hemiptera Crops, ornamentals, weeds, cucurbits, taro, banana, beans, capsicum, chilli, citrus, eggplant Aphis gossypii
Pentalonia nigronerversa Banana aphid Aphididae Hemiptera Banana, ginger, taro Pentalonia nigronerversa
Nacoleia octasema Banana scab moth Crambidae Lepidoptera Banana, plantain Nacoleia octasema Lamprosema octasema
Erionota thrax Banana skipper Hesperiidae Lepidoptera Banana, Manila hemp, bamboo, coconut, oil palm Banana skipper
Cosmopolites sordidus Banana weevil Curculionidae Coleoptera Banana, Manila hemp Cosmopolites sordidus
Corythucha gossypii Bean lace bug Tingidae Hemiptera Beans, bele, breadfruit, eggplant, Hibiscus, soursop, sweet potato Corythucha gossypii
Maruca vitrata Bean pod borer Crambidae Lepidoptera Beans, French beans, cowpeas, pigeon peas, yard long beans Maruca| vitrata Maruca testulalis
Riptortus serripes,
Riptortus linearis		 Bean pod sucking bug Alydidae Hemiptera Legumes, long bean, French bean, soybean, mung bean, Macadamia, sorghum Riptortus serripes, Riptortus linearis
Nisotra basselae Bele flea beetle Chrysomelidae Coleoptera Bele (aibika, island cabbage, sliperi kabis, Abelmoschus manihot) Nisotra basselae
Haritalodes derogata Bele leaf roller Crambidae Lepidoptera Bele (aibika, island cabbage, sliperi kabis, Abelmoschus manihot), Hibiscus, cotton, okra, weeds Haritalodes derogata Sylepta derogata
Amrasca devastans Bele leafhopper Cicadellidae Hemiptera Bele (aibika, island cabbage, sliperi kabis, Abelmoschus manihot), okra, cotton, legumes, eggplant, peanut Amrasca| devastans Empoasca devastans
Acrocercops cathedrae Bele leafminer Gracillariidae Lepidoptera Bele, okra, Hibiscus Acrocercops cathedrae
Earias vittella Bele shoot borer Nolidae Lepidoptera Bele (aibika, sliperi kabis, island cabbage, Abelmoschus manihot), okra, hibiscus, tomato Earias vittella
Icerya seychellarum Breadfruit scales Monophlebidae Hemiptera More than 60 families, especially woody plants. Avocado, breadfruit, Casuarina, citrus, Ficus, guava Icerya seychellarum
Icerya aegyptiaca Breadfruit mealybug Monophlebidae Hemiptera Breadfruit, avocado, banana, citrus, jackfruit, mango, soursop, taro, ornamentals, giant taro, pandanas, coconut Icerya aegyptiaca
Plutella xylostella Cabbage diamond back moth Plutellidae Lepidoptera Brassica family, head cabbage, Chinese cabbage, radish, cauliflower, broccoli, Amaranthus, watercress Plutella xylostella
Crocidolomia pavonana Cabbage heart-centre caterpillar Crambidae Lepidoptera Brassica family, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, mustard, radish Crocidolomia pavonana Crocidolomia binotalis
Hellula undalis Cabbage webworm Crambidae Lepidoptera Brassica family, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, radish, amaranth, eggplant Hellula undalis
Aleurotrachelus trachoides Capsicum whitefly Aleyrodidae Hemiptera Solanaceae family, capsicum, chilli, eggplant, tobacco, tomato, brassicas, citrus, cucurbits, capsicum, kava, Ixora, ornamentals, Merremia, Duranta erecta Aleurotrachelus trachoides
Pseudaulacaspis pentagona Cassava white peach scale Diaspididae Hemiptera Bele, chilli, capsicum, cassava, passionfruit, paper mulberry, mulberry Pseudaulacaspis pentagona
Phyllotreta undulata Chinese cabbage flea beetle  Chrysomelidae Coleoptera Brassica family, Chinese cabbage Phyllotreta undulata
Toxoptera citricida,
Toxoptera aurantii		 Citrus aphids Aphididae Hemiptera Citrus Toxoptera citricida, Toxoptera aurantii
Eudocima fullonia Citrus fruit piercing moth Noctuidae Lepidoptera Banana, citrus, 5-corner fruit, guava, mango, passionfruit, pineapple, capsicum, melon, tomato Eudocima fullonia Othreis fullonia
Homalodisca vitripennis Citrus glassy-winged sharpshooter Cicadellidae Hemiptera Almond, avocado, citrus, grape, peach, plum Homalodisca vitripennis Homalodisca coagulata
Phyllocnistis citrella Citrus leafminer Gracillariidae Lepidoptera Citrus, cumquat, grapefruit, lime, sour orange Phyllocnistis citrella
Aleurocanthus spiniferus Citrus orange spiny whitefly Aleyrodidae Hemiptera Citrus, grape, guava, peach, pear Aleurocanthus spiniferus
Diaphorina citri Citrus psyllid Psyllidae Hemiptera Citrus, ornamentals, grapefruit, cumquat, lemons, limes, mandarin, orange, pomelo, tangelo, Murraya paniculata, Bergera koenigii Diaphorina citri
Unaspis citri Citrus snow scale Diaspididae Hemiptera Citrus, Pacific banana Unaspis citri
Conopomorpha cramerella Cocoa pod borer Gracillariidae Lepidoptera Cocoa, Pacific lychee, rambutam, cola Conopomorpha cramerella Acrocercops cramerella
Pantorhyte sp.,
Pantorhyte biplagiatus		 Cocoa weevil borer Curculionidae Coleoptera Cocoa, Eucalyptus, Terminalia Pantorhyte sp., Pantorhyte biplagiatus
Agonoxena sp.,
Agonoxena argaula,
Agonoxena pyrogramma		 Coconut flat moth Agonoxeninae Lepidoptera Coconut, palms Agonoxena| sp.,
Agonoxena argaula,
Agonoxena pyrogramma
Brontispa longissima Coconut hispine beetle Chrysomelidae Coleoptera Coconut, betel nut, sago palm, oil palm, ornamentals, wild palm Brontispa longissima
Promecotheca sp. Coconut leafminer Chrysomelidae Coleoptera Coconut, betel nut, sago palm, ornamentals, wild palm Promecotheca sp.
Rhyncophorus ferrugineus Coconut red palm weevil Curculionidae Coleoptera Coconut, palms, netel betel nut, oil palm, sago palm, date palm, ornamental palms Rhyncophorus ferrugineus
Scapanes australis Coconut rhinoceros beetle Scarabaeidae Coleoptera Coconut, oil palm, betel nut, banana, sugar cane, wild palms Scapanes australis
Oryctes rhinoceros Coconut rhinoceros beetle Scarabaeidae Coleoptera Coconut, oil palm, betel nut, sago palm, banana, Pandanus, sugarcane, tree fern Oryctes rhinoceros
Aspidiotus destructor Coconut scale Diaspididae Hemiptera Coconut, banana, avocado, breadfruit, cassava, guava, oil palm, sugarcane Aspidiotus destructor
Segestes sp.,
Segestidea sp.,
Sexavasp.		 Coconut sexava treehopper Tettigoniidae  Orthoptera Coconut, oil palm, betel nut, nipa, sago palm, banana, Heliconia, Pandanus, Ravenala, sugarcane Segestes sp., Segestidea sp., Sexavasp. Sexava nubila, Segestes decoratus, Segestidia leefmansi, Segestidia rufipalpis, Segestidia uniformis, Segestidia defoliara, Segestidia novaeguineae on coconuts, and Segestes decoratus, Segestidia defoliaria and Segestidea novaeguineae on oil palm
Axiagastus cambelli Coconut spathe bug Pentatomidae Hemiptera Coconut, betel nut Axiagastus| cambelli
Tirathaba rufivena Coconut spike moth Pyralidae Lepidoptera Coconut, oil palm, palms, betel nut, nipa, banana Tirathaba rufivena
Graeffea crouanii Coconut stick insect Phasmatidae Phasmatodea Coconut, sago palm, Pandanus, wild palms Graeffea| crouanii
Neotermes rainbowi Coconut termite Kalotermitidae Blattodea Coconut, Pandanus Neotermes rainbowi
Hypothenemus hampei Coffee berry borer Curculionidae Coleoptera Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora Hypothenemus hampei
Saissetia sp.,
Saissetia coffeae		 Coffee brown scale Coccidae Hemiptera Coffee, breadfruit, citrus, guava, soursop, ornamentals, cycads, ferns, orchids Saissetia sp., Saissetia coffeae
Diaphania indica Cucumber moth Crambidae Lepidoptera Cucurbits, watermelon, cucumber, melon, pumpkin, snake gourd Diaphania indica
Epilachna vigintioctopunctata Eggplant bean ladybird beetle Coccinellidae Coleoptera Eggplant, Solanaceae, tomato, weeds, yard long beans, legumes, cucurbits, maize Epilachna| vigintioctopunctata Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata
Psylliodes brettinghami Eggplant flea beetle Chrysomelidae Coleoptera Solanaceae, eggplant, potato, tomato, weeds, nightshade Psylliodes brettinghami
Quadrastichus erythrinae Erythrina gall wasp Eulophidae Hymenoptera Erythrina sp., ornamentals, hedges, shade trees, Quadrastichus erythrinae
Bactrocera kirki Fruit fly Tephritidae  Diptera Guava, mango, avocado, Pacific lychee (Pometia pinnata), Indian almond (Terminalia catappa), Abiu (Pouteria cainito), Brazil cherry (Eugenia brasiliensis), Elaeocarpus tonganus, Indian laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum), Malay apple (Syzygium malaccense), noni (Morinda citrifolia), passionfruit (Passiflora edulis), rose apple (Syzygium jambos), Tahitian chestnut (Inocarpus fagifera), water apple (Syzygium aqueum) Bactrocera kirki,Bactrocera kirki, Bactrocera kirki
Bactrocera passiflorae Fijian fruit fly Tephritidae  Diptera Guava, Indian almond (Terminalia catappa), rose apple (Syzygium jambos), cumquat, orange, mandarin, pomelo, mango, Malay apple (Syzygium malaccense), Pacific lychee (Pometia pinnata),Amaroria soulameiodes, Ochrosia oppositifolia, Cerbera manghas, Tahitian chestnut (Inocarpus fagifer) Bactrocera passiflorae
Bactrocera xanthodes Pacific fruit fly Tephritidae  Diptera Breadfruit, jackfruit, papaya, abiu (Pouteria cainito), avocado, granadilla (Passiflora quadrangularis), soursop, Indian almond (Terminalia catappa), tomato, mandarin, mango, passionfruit (Passiflora edulis, Passiflora ligularis) Bactrocera xanthodes, Bactrocera xanthodes, Bactrocera xanthodes
Bactrocera species near passiflorae Fruit fly Tephritidae  Diptera Avocado, giant granadilla, guava, mandarin, papaya, sweet orange, Tahitian chestnut, Indian almond (Terminalia catappa), Calophyllum inophyllum, Hernandia nymphaefolia, Guettarda speciosa, Ochrosia oppositifolia Bactrocera| species| near| passiflorae, Bactrocera| species| near| passiflorae
Bactrocera distincta Fruit fly Tephritidae  Diptera Sapodilla, star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito) Bactrocera distincta,Bactrocera distincta, Bactrocera distincta
Bactrocera gnetum Fruit fly Tephritidae  Diptera Gnetum gnemon Bactrocera gnetum
Bactrocera obscura Fruit fly Tephritidae  Diptera Not recorded Bactrocera obscura
Bactrocera frauenfeldi Mango fly Tephritidae  Diptera Avocado, black sapote, breadfruit, capsicum, carambola, cut nut, golden (or "wi") apple, grapefruit, guava, jackfruit, cumquat, mango, Malay apple, papaya, paper mulberry, passion fruit, plantain, pomelo, sapodilla, snake gourd, sour orange, soursop, Tahitian chestnut, tropical almond, Indian laurel, figs, forest fruits Bactrocera| frauenfeldi
Bactrocera umbrosa Breadfruit fly Tephritidae  Diptera Breadfruit, jackfruit Bactrocera umbrosa
Bactrocera cucurbitae Melon fly Tephritidae  Diptera Cucurbits, watermelon, cucumber, pumpkin, snake gourd, bitter gourd, ivy gourd Bactrocera cucurbitae
Dacus solomonensis Solomon fly Tephritidae  Diptera Cucumber, pumpkin, snake gourd
Nezara viridula Green vegetable bug Pentatomidae Hemiptera Brassicas, capsicum, cucumber, cucurbits, legumes, yard long beans, tomato, weeds Nezara viridula
Liriomyza sp. Leafminer fly Agromyzidae Diptera Cucurbits, cucumber, watermelon, Fabaceae, beans, legumes, Solanaceae, capsicum, tomato, Brassicaceae, cabbages, ornamentals Liriomyza| sp.
Wasmannia auropunctata Little fire ant Formicidae  Hymenoptera No specific host Wasmannia auropunctata
Ostrinia furnacalis Asian maize corn borer Crambidae Lepidoptera Maize, sweet corn, ginger, sorghum, capsicum, sugarcane, cotton Ostrinia furnacalis
Idioscopus nitidulus,
Idioscopus clypealis		 Mango leafhopper Cicadellidae Hemiptera Mango Idioscopus nitidulus,| Idioscopus clypealis<
Thrips palmi  Melon thrips Thripidae Thysanoptera Cabbage, cucumber, legumes, potato, ornamentals, weeds, French beans, capsicum, chilli, eggplant, melon, potato, tomato, zucchini Thrips palmi|
Thrips tabaci Onion thrips Thripidae Thysanoptera Onion, beans, brassicas, carrot, cotton, cucurbits, legumes, papaya, pineapple, potato, tobacco, tomato, ornamentals Thrips tabaci
Pericyma cruegeri Poinciana looper moth  Noctuidae Lepidoptera Poinciana, Delonix regia, yellow poinciana, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Acacia, Caesalpinia, Cassia fistula, Leucaena leucocephala Pericyma cruegeri
Epilachna vigintioctopunctata Potato ladybird beetle Coccinellidae Coleoptera Potato, Solanaceae, weeds, crops Epilachna| vigintioctopunctata Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata
Aulacophora sp. Pumpkin beetle Chrysomelidae Coleoptera Cucurbits, cucumber, melon, pumpkin, watermelon, gourds Aulacophora| sp.
Nilaparvata lugens Rice brown planthopper Delphacidae Hemiptera Rice, wild grasses Nilaparvata lugens
Poneridia sp. Sandpaper cabbage beetle Chrysomelidae Coleoptera Fig, Ficus, sandpaper cabbage Poneridia sp.
Aleurodicus dispersus Spiralling whitefly Aleyrodidae Hemiptera Banana, cassava, citrus, papaya, mango, custard apple, guava, taro, tomato, capsicum, eggplant, ornamentals, shade trees, weeds Aleurodicus dispersus
Leptoglossus sp.,
Leptoglossus australis 		 Squash leaf-footed bug  Coreidae Hemiptera Snake gourd, melon, cucumber, cucurbits, citrus, eggplant, guava, legumes, passionfruit, tomato Leptoglossus| sp.,
| Leptoglossus| australis|
Rhabdoscelus obscurus Sugarcane weevil borer Curculionidae Coleoptera Sugarcane, banana, palms, betel nut, coconut, sago palm, oil palm Rhabdoscelus obscurus
Neomaskellia bergii Sugarcane whitefly Aleyrodidae Hemiptera Sugarcane, bamboo, sorghum, grass Neomaskellia bergii
Chaetocnema sp. Sweetpotato flea beetle Chrysomelidae Coleoptera Sweetpotato, water spinach (kangkong), Ipomoea sp. Chaetocnema sp.
Halticus minutus Sweetpotato flea hopper Miridae Hemiptera Brassicas, cabbages, cucurbits, watermelon, cucumber, melon, pumpkin, beans, peanuts, sweetpotato Halticus minutus
Agrius convolvuli Sweetpotato hornworm Sphingidae Lepidoptera Sweetpotato, eggplant, capsicum, tomato, legumes Agrius convolvuli
Spodoptera sp. Shallot army worm Noctuidae Lepidoptera Onion, shallots, legumes, Solanaceae, tomato, brassicas, cabbage, cotton, soybean Spodoptera| sp.
Psara hipponalis Sweetpotato leaf folder Crambidae Lepidoptera Sweetpotato, Ipomoea, Mikania cordata Psara hipponalis Herpetogramma hipponalis
Candezea sp. Sweetpotato red leaf beetle Chrysomelidae Coleoptera Sweetpotato, water spinach (kangkong), Ipomoea sp. Candezea sp.
Cassida sp., Aspidimorpha sp. Sweetpotato tortoise beetle Chrysomelidae Coleoptera Sweetpotato, water spinach (kangkong), Ipomoea sp., crops, weeds Cassida sp., Aspidimorpha sp.
Cylas formicarius Sweetpotato weevil Curculionidae Coleoptera Sweetpotato, morning glory Cylas formicarius
Euscepes postfasciatus Sweetpotato West Indian weevil Curculionidae Coleoptera Sweetpotato, Ipomoea sp. Euscepes postfasciatus
Spodoptera litura Taro cluster caterpillar Noctuidae Lepidoptera Cabbages, tomato, okra, chilli, cassava, maize, sweetpotato, rice, eggplant, watercress, taro Spodoptera litura
Hippotion celerio Taro hornworm Sphingidae Lepidoptera Taro, sweetpotato, noni (Morinda sp.) Hippotion celerio
Papuana sp. Taro Papuan beetle Scarabaeidae Coleoptera Seedlings, oil palm, coconut, giant taro (Alocasia), banana, giant swamp taro (Cryrtosperma), sugarcane, Pandanus, taro Papuana sp.
Tarophagus sp. Taro planthopper Delphacidae Hemiptera Taro Tarophagus| sp.
Thrips sp., Frankliniella sp. Thrips Thripidae Thysanoptera Tomato, capsicum, melon, onion, crops Thrips sp., Frankliniella sp.
Helicoverpa armigera Tomato corn earworm Noctuidae Lepidoptera Cotton, beans, maize, sorghum, tobacco, tomato, legumes, weeds Helicoverpa| armigera Heliothis armigera
Antianthe expansa Tomato keeled treehopper Membracidae Hemiptera Solanaceae, tomato, capsicum, eggplant, nightshades Antianthe expansa
Liriomyza trifolii Watermelon (American serpentine) leafminer Agromyzidae Diptera Solonaceae, Fabaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Brassicaceae, Gerbera, Chysanthemim, Asteraceae, onions Liriomyza trifolii
Frankliniella occidentalis Western flower thrips Thripidae Thysanoptera Soft fruits, plums, peaches, strawberries, grapes, flowers, Gladiolus, Impatiens, Gerbera, Chrysanthemum, Poinsettia, vegetables, cucumber, tomato, capsicum, cabbages, beans, wild flowers Frankliniella occidentalis
Adoretus versutus Yam rose beetle Scarabaeidae Coleoptera Cocoa, coffee, bele, yams, crops, ornamentals, trees, Hibiscus tiliaceus Adoretus versutus
Aspidiella hartii Yam scale Diaspididae Hemiptera Yams, Dioscorea alata, Dioscorea esculenta, ginger, taro, turmeric Aspidiella hartii