Food plants suitable for mass rearing of the coconut hispine beetle Brontispa longissima

The invasive pest Brontispa longissima(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), native to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, has extended its distribution to Australia, Asia and Pacific islands and caused serious leaf damages of the coconut palm Cocos nuciferain the invaded regions. Although biological control using parasitic wasps has successfully reduced population density and leaf damage levels, this pest and its natural enemies have not been efficiently producedin conventional methods using young leaves of C. nucifera. In the present study, we examined suitability of plants easily available in Thailand and Japan for mass rearing of this pest to develop effective mass rearing system of this pest. Mature, green leaves of the palms were also suitable for immature development and adult reproduction of this pest. Since mature leaves of C. nucifera are more abundant and less contaminated with fungus than the unopened leaf buds, mature leaves could be a promising plant diet for mass rearing of B. longissima. Ornamental palms such as Hyophorbe lagenicaulis and Washingtonia filifera were also suitable for immature development and reproduction of B. longissima. Away from palms, the cattail Typha spp. can sustain immature development and adult reproduction of B. longissima. In the area where C. nucifera is rare or not available, W. filifera or Typha spp. would be good food plants for mass rearing of this pest.