Pacumbana, E.P., Zipagan, M.B., Orense, J.C., & Imperial, M.L.R. 1997 Sangiococcus sp. nr. truncatispinus (Reyne) a mealybug species infesting coconut palms in southern Palawan [Philippines].. Philippine Journal of Crop Science 22(Supplement no. 1): 73.

Notes: [1997 Annual Scientific Conference of the Federation of Crop Science Societies of the Philippines. Baguio City (Philippines). 25-29 May 1997.] A mealybug, Sangicoccus sp. nr. truncatispinus (Reyne) was first recorded in the coastal barangays [villages] of Ipilan-Mambalot, Brooke's Point, Palawan [Philippines] in 1987. Present distribution covers the municipalities of Brooke's Point, Bataraza, Rizal, Quezon, Sofronio Espanola and Narra with an estimated infested coconut areas of 4500 hectares. The alarming spread of infestation indicates an ecological imbalance probably due to lack of effective natural enemies which strengthens the contention that the pest might have been introduced to the island province. A 30 percent yield reduction resulted from damage caused by the plant-sucking mealybugs which is further complicated by the insect's secretion of honeydew serving as substrate for sooty molds that interfered in photosynthesis. Preliminary observations identified several factors that contributed to increased pest populations including long dry season in 1990-91, minimal number of natural enemies, and closer distance of coconut planting.