Haplaxius crudus

Haplaxius crudus is a planthopper species in the genus Haplaxius.

Haplaxius crudus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder:	Fulgoromorpha
Family:	Cixiidae
Genus:	Haplaxius
Species:	H. crudus
Binomial name
Haplaxius crudus Van Duzee, 1907
Synonyms
Haplaxius cocois (Fennah, 1945) Myndus crudus Van Duzee, 1907 Paramyndus cocois Fennah, 1945

H. crudus is the vector of the coconut lethal yellowing/16SrIV-A.^[1][2]

Range

Throughout the Caribbean and in Florida.^[2]

Hosts

The nymphs are found on over 40 species of Poaceae and Cyperaceae in the Neotropical. In urban Florida habitats they prefer St. Augustine grass. Adults feed exclusively on the foliage of 30 species of Arecaceae. Adults seem to prefer Cocos nucifera but that may be due to observations being made around plantations, where surrounding grass provides a good combination of habitats for both nymphs and adults.^[2] Have been known since at least 1978 as the most common insect on C. nucifera in Florida and Jamaica.^[3]

As a vector

Vector of lethal yellowing/16SrIV-A phytoplasma.^[1][2]

Economic impact

Has transmitted the LY responsible for the deaths of millions of ornamental and farmed palms throughout the Caribbean. Note that in the absence of a phytoplasma to vector, does not damage host palms.^[2]

Management

Replacement of nymph host populations in nurseries with anything non-monocot, diazinon application on nymph hosts, and systemic dimethoate injection of the adult hosts.^[2]