*4.4.2 Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae)*

*Schizaphis rotundiventris* (Signoret) and *Mysteropneura setariae* (Thomas) infest the oil palm seedlings in state, particularly in area wherever the nurseries are encircled by sugarcane fields. *Astegopteryx rhaphides* (Van der Goot) has been found encrusting

**Figure 11.** *Leaf hopper,* Proutista moesta*.*

the oil palm leaves in very little Andamans. The spears twist and warp due to the feeding on nursery plants. Jet-black mildew is developed because of honeydew melon secretion.

#### *4.4.2.1 Management*

Spraying of dimethoate zero.04% or monocrotophos zero.05% or insect powder zero.05% on the underside of the leaves is suggested for the management of aphids [23].

#### **4.5 Coccoids (scales and mealy bugs)**

*Palmicultor palmarum* (Ehrhorn) and *Nipaecoccus nipae* (Maskell) were observed on *Elaeis* in Ecuador. Two species of mealybugs, *Dysmicoccus brevipes* Cockerell and *Rhizoecus americanus* Hambleton, are found to cause damage to oil palms in Colombian nurseries. Some species live on the roots of *Elaeis,* such as *D. brevipes* Cockerell in Ecuador (**Figure 12**) [46].

In India, the spear leaves of oil palm seedlings in the nursery and field planted young oil palm seedlings are infested by *Pseudococus citricutus* Green, *Palmicultor* sp. and Margarodids, *Icerya aegyptiaca* (Douglas). *D. brevipes* infest the pre-anthesising male and female inflorescences and also unripe and ripe oil palm fruits [47–49]. Mealybugs on oil palm plants are migrants from other palmaeceae palms. Mealybugs are found in moist, warm climates. Mealy bugs are sporadic pests that are frequent in plantations, although they rarely cause outbreaks, which may be because of the work of natural enemies like coccinellid beetles whereas the primary indicators of endemic infestation are unsanitary circumstances and sanitation measures used in the gardens.

#### *4.5.1 Nature and symptoms of damage*

Coccids (soft scales) are noticed on the leaves of oil palms at all ages. Diaspids (armoured scales) are commonly found on the fruit bunches and leaves of oil palms. Sap from the tender spear leaves, inflorescence, and fruits is sucked by both nymphs and adult females. Attack by Diaspids results in the appearance of chlorotic spots on leaf tissues. These pests secrete a waxy cover, which hardens to form tough armour. The shape of the armour varies, being circular as in *Aspidiotus,* elongated/coma shaped/thread-like as in *Pinnaspis.* All the females live together and are protected by ants. Infestations of *Pseudococus citricutus* Green, Palrnicultor sp., *Margarodids*, *and Icerya aegyptiaca* (Douglas) have been found on the spear leaves of young oil palm seedlings that have been planted in the field and in nurseries. Both *Pseudococus* and *Palmicultor* species attack on spindle leaves of young plants resulting in the yellowing of unfolding leaves and stunted growth of the palm. Ring spots were not observed so far because continuous feeding causes a mottling appearance on leaves. Oil palm fruits of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) are infested by *Dysmicoccus* spp. and they suck the mesocarp sap. These pests feed on plant sap and excrete honeydew which will attract ants and sooty mould development. The pest feeds only on ripe FFB and when the harvest is delayed, yield loss is more. It is also observed that the pest attack leads to the loosening of the fruits which leads to premature fruit drop.

*Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Oil Palm,* Elaeis guineensis *Jacq. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108580*

**Figure 12.** *Scales and Mealy bugs on oil palm.*
