Essay About Coconut

Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
Aspidiotus Rigidus or more commonly known as “cocolisap” is a destructive pest that attacks the Coconut tree by eating the leaves, fruits, and flowers until only the trunk is left (1). During infestation, the “cocolisap” completely covers completely the underside of leaves and defoliate, resulting to the shriveling of nuts leading to premature nut fall and even kill their host plants (2). The Philippines is the second largest producer of coconut products and, in some areas, coconut farming is the main source of livelihood (3). This massive infestation threatens the 12 billion peso coconut industry and the livelihood of our coconut farming families, mostly in the area of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and

Philippine Entomol.” In Philippines, it is the most common armored scale insect on coconut palm and is considered particularly damaging, because it attacks the fruits as well as the foliage, but it is much more damaging to palms in nurseries that to mature palms in plantation.

(2) From an agricultural journal by Kamath which is entitled “A review of biological control of insect pests and noxious”, the “cocolisap” infects stems, branches, leaf-petioles, leaves and fruits of their host plants. It is found mostly on the underside of leaves. During severe outbreaks, scale insects completely cover the underside of leaves and defoliate and even kill their host plants. According to Kamath, coconut is its preferred host. The “cocolisap” is found mainly on the underside of leaves, but frond stalks, flower clusters, and young fruit can also be attacked. During heavy infestations they attack the upper side of coconut leaves as well. Attack on fruits causes shriveling of nuts leading to premature nut fall. Young coconut trees aged 10-15 years are most vulnerable to the “cocolisap”