Helopeltis theivora

Helopeltis • Miridae • Heteroptera (plantsucking) • Hemiptera • insects (plant pests) • pests-diseases-weeds

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Helopeltis theivora (click on image to enlarge it)
Author: Rison Thumboor
Source: Wikimedia Commons

cacao pods damaged by Helopeltis (click on image to enlarge it)
Authors: World Agroforestry Centre
Source: Flickr

Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse, 1886

This mosquito bug attacks cacao, tea, cashew and various other crops in southern Asia. Typically, the young shoots (e.g. on tea) or the developing fruits (e.g. on cacao) are attacked. These often die off, shrivel or drop, due to toxins injected during feeding. Crop losses in tea often exceed 10%. The adults are 6-8 mm long. The colour is mainly dark brown to black with yellow or orange markings.

Synonyms:
Helopeltis oryx
Helopeltis theobromae