Invasion of Rugose spiraling whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) across Bangladesh coastal region causes widespread damage to coconut plants.

Abstract

Rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin, a native pest of coconut in Central America, has recently been introduced to South-East Asia. Little is known about the spread of RSW in Bangladesh, the effect this pest has on coconut plants, or the full range of its plant hosts. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted surveys across the southern coastal coconut producing region of Bangladesh. Coconut plant damage from RSW was high throughout all the areas surveyed, and this was correlated with the population density of RSW. Areas, such as Khulna, which had the highest population density of RSW, had the highest level of RSW leaf damage. Coconut plants with an infestation of RSW had significantly fewer leaves and fruits. The coconut fruits were also smaller, both in terms of size and weight, and contained less water and lighter endosperm compared to non-infested plants. This highlights the need for the management of RSW in coconut growing regions. We also report 39 new host plant species for RSW from 22 plant families, including the economically important mangrove plant Nipa palm, Nypa fruticans Wurmb.