The larval habitat of Cedusa inflata (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Derbidae) and its relationship with adult distribution on palms

Abstract

Adults of Derbidae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) are common on foliage of Palmae in many tropical localities; their larvae are believed to develop in decaying debris. The larval stage of Cedusa inflata (Ball), a derbid common on palms in Florida and the Caribbean Region, was observed and is figured for the first time, and its habitat, decaying organic debris, was documented. In plantings of coconut palm, a mean of 56.1 larvae of C. inflata solitary or in aggregations of up to 13 individuals were found in each of 10 piles of organic debris from the palms. The larvae were in moist places in the interior of debris piles usually near fungal mycelia, their presumed food resource. Sparse numbers (x = 6.06) of C. inflata adults were observed on foliage of each of 10 palms adjacent to piles of organic debris, but were virtually absent from 10 palms >15 m from debris piles. These observations have implications for decaying debris as the assumed larval habitat of derbid species found as adults on palms in many tropical countries.