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Coconut Palm Trees

Q.Need insectiside for coconut tree.

Zone 421201 | pankajak2005 added on February 1, 2019 | Answered

hi,
I need insectiside for coconut tree. Coconut tree is infected with insect from top. New branches are suddenly not comming. So kindly guide us in selecting insectiside for coconut tree.

Thanks,
Pankajkumar
8618596438 / 7709221877 / 912512880588

A.Answers to this queston: Add Answer
drtreelove
Answered on February 2, 2019

It is not easy to answer your question without more information. Out of the many pests that infest coconut palms, there are three or four that are widespread and most devastating. Each one will have a different management method and materials for control.

From your minimal description and from your location in Maharashtra is it?, I suspect the "coconut black-headed caterpillar" as a strong possibility. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opisina_arenosella
(See the section on 'Management')

If that is the case, there are chemical pesticides available, and also organic program compatible methods and materials with bio-pesticides, like pyrethrum and neem seed oil extract/Azadirachtin, and also a biological control.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276121325_Status_and_Management_of_Three_Major_Insect_Pests_of_Coconut_in_the_Tropics_and_Subtropics

An insecticide spray program may be effective, but the practical issues depend on how tall your tree(s) are and if you have a sprayer that will reach the top of the tree.

I am in Thailand where we have similar coconut palm pests, but the resources and available materials will be different. I recommend that if you have a plantation, you seek advise from a local agricultural university extension program if available,
https://www.pdkv.ac.in/?page_id=3264
or from the CDB. http://coconutboard.nic.in/CPS-MH.aspx

If you have a single tree or only a few trees and they are small, and you have a hand held sprayer that can reach the top, my choice would be Pyrethrins (or also called Pyrethrum, botanical insecticide derived from a chrysanthemum flower) for contact spray knock down of the pest. And I would follow up with a neem solution spray every two weeks as a repellent for an ongoing preventive barrier.

https://www.amazon.com/ExciteR-Pyrethrin-Insecticide-Concentrate-Mosquitoes/dp/B005CT9IDO

A cheaper and highly effective chemical version is permethrin or cypermethrin. This is low toxicity for mammals, people and pets.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LJKVA5O/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00LJKVA5O&pd_rd_w=FuWcS&pf_rd_p=21517efd-b385-405b-a405-9a37af61b5b4&pd_rd_wg=TfoO2&pf_rd_r=WAJ7JFMGZTTXKDC2EBE2&pd_rd_r=140b0645-2695-11e9-a51c-316dc2ab950d

And here is a sample of a neem extract product:
https://www.amazon.com/Nutri-Aza-Plus-3-Azadirachtin/dp/B00SJYZJXW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1549075519&sr=8-4&keywords=neem+oil+azadirachtin

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