What's eating my cacao?

Cacao's most damaging pests are mealybugs, which feed on pods and transmit cacao swollen-shoot virus, devastating crops in West Africa. Thrips scar developing pods and distort leaves. Scale insects and mirids (capsid bugs) also cause serious yield losses. Biological control and canopy management are frontline defences.

White waxy colonies on pods and shoots; transmit cacao swollen-shoot virus causing leaf distortion, stem swelling, and tree death. Encourage natural predators (parasitoid wasps, lacewings); apply neem oil or systemic insecticide as a last resort; remove and destroy infected trees.

Silvery or brown scarring on pods and leaves; deformed leaves with curled edges; reduced photosynthesis. Release predatory Orius bugs; apply neem-based sprays; improve canopy ventilation through pruning to reduce humidity.

Feeding punctures on green pods and shoots cause dark lesions, pod death, and significant yield loss — up to 30% in affected regions. Apply insecticides (lambda-cyhalothrin) at pod-formation stage; maintain weed-free ground cover to reduce shelter for adults.

Encrusted stems and pods; honeydew promotes sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis and pod quality. Apply horticultural oil sprays to target crawler stage; prune infested branches and improve air circulation.