*4.3.1 Spindle bug*: Carvalhoia arecae *Miller (Miridae)*

It is primarily a significant pest of arecanut palms but also attained pest status on oil palms in Karnataka and Kerala states where arecanut is commercially grown. Spindle bug incidence and infestation were noticed very low in nursery seedlings and young plants. Throughout the year, infestation is observed, with June seeing the highest prevalence and, consequently, February seeing the lowest. When the palms got older, the percentage of infestation decreased, and 30 months after field planting, there was no sign of it [20]. The incidence is not reported aside from the abovementioned states. The existence of low temperatures is also a critical factor for pest incidence (**Figure 10**).
