{"id":1463,"date":"2016-01-15T15:12:05","date_gmt":"2016-01-15T23:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1463"},"modified":"2022-05-16T09:50:50","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T16:50:50","slug":"tarophagus-colocasiae-matsumura-taro-planthopper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1463","title":{"rendered":"Tarophagus colocasiae (Matsumura) | Taro Planthopper"},"content":{"rendered":"
California Pest Rating for<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em><\/strong> (Matsumura): Taro Planthopper<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Hemiptera: Delphacidae<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Pest Rating: \u00a0B<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\n
PEST RATING PROFILE<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Initiating Event: \u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> is commonly intercepted by California\u2019s high risk programs.\u00a0 This planthopper is currently assigned a temporary rating of \u201cQ\u201d and is therefore in need of a permanent pest rating.<\/p>\n

History & Status:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Background<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> is a planthopper that is considered a serious pest of taro (Colocasia esculenta<\/em>)1<\/sup>.\u00a0 The planthopper feeds by sucking sap and\/or xylem from the plant tissue1<\/sup>.\u00a0 Feeding produces honeydew, sooty mold, and necrotic areas on leaves and discoloration of bark on stems1<\/sup>.\u00a0 Heavy infestations may cause stunting and\/or wilting of the taro plants.\u00a0 Taro planthopper is also reported to vector alomae and bobone diseases, which are caused by rhabdoviruses, between taro plants.\u00a0 The planthopper may spread long distances by the movement of infested taro plants, leaves, or roots.<\/p>\n

Worldwide Distribution<\/u><\/strong>: Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> is widespread in Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands1<\/sup>.\u00a0 It has been present in Hawaii since at least 1930.\u00a0 The planthopper was confirmed to be present in Florida in June 2015 and is likely established in both Jamaica and Cuba4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Official Control<\/u><\/strong>: Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> is not listed as a quarantine pest by any other states or nations2<\/sup>.\u00a0 However, Tarophagus proserpina<\/em> is listed as a quarantine pest by Japan and Korea and that species may be a synonym of T. colocasiae<\/em>.<\/p>\n

California Distribution<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> has never been found in the environment of California.<\/p>\n

California Interceptions<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 Between January 1, 2000 and January 6, 2015, Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> was intercepted 133 times on consignments from Hawaii.\u00a0 127 of the interceptions were on taro.\u00a0 The remainder were on betel leaf (1), ginger (1), galanga (2), and sweet potato (2).<\/p>\n

The risk Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> (taro planthopper) would pose to California is evaluated below.<\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1) Climate\/Host Interaction<\/span>:<\/strong> Taro grows in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 11 and is grown in gardens and small-scale commercial farms in Fresno and Sacramento California3<\/sup>. Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> is expected to be able to establish wherever these plants are grown.\u00a0 It receives a Medium (2)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California.\u00a0 Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> Not likely to establish in California; or likely to establish in very limited areas.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California.<\/span><\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> likely to establish a widespread distribution in California.<\/p>\n

2) Known Pest Host Range<\/span>:<\/strong> Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> is only known to feed on taro and related aroids.\u00a0 It receives a Low (1)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the host range of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> has a very limited host range.<\/span><\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> has a moderate host range.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> has a wide host range.<\/p>\n

3) Pest Dispersal Potential<\/span>:<\/strong> Taro planthoppers may be moved long distances when infested taro plants, leaves, or roots are moved.\u00a0 However, their wings do not fully develop and they are not considered to be good fliers.\u00a0 Planthoppers have high reproductive rates.\u00a0 Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> receives a High (3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> does not have high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

4) Economic Impact<\/span>:<\/strong> If Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> were to establish in California it would be likely to lower the yield of commercial taro farms and gardens.\u00a0 The planthopper would also be likely to increase crop production costs.\u00a0 Taro leafhopper may also vector diseases between taro plants.\u00a0 It receives a High (3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below. Score:<\/p>\n

A<\/strong>. \u00a0The pest could lower crop yield.<\/span><\/p>\n

B<\/strong>. \u00a0The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).<\/span><\/p>\n

C. \u00a0The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).<\/p>\n

D. \u00a0The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.<\/p>\n

E<\/strong>. \u00a0The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.<\/span><\/p>\n

F. \u00a0The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.<\/p>\n

G. \u00a0The organism can interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agricultural uses.<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes 2 of these impacts.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> causes 3 or more of these impacts.<\/span><\/p>\n

5) Environmental Impact<\/span>:<\/strong> Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> is not expected to lower biodiversity, disrupt natural communities, or change ecosystem processes.\u00a0 Taro planthopper is not expected to directly affect threatened or endangered species or disrupt critical habitats.\u00a0 The planthopper may trigger additional treatment programs by gardeners and growers of commercial taro.\u00a0 The planthopper may also significantly impact taro plants in home\/urban gardens.\u00a0 Taro planthopper receives a High (3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.<\/p>\n

A. \u00a0The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.<\/p>\n

B. \u00a0The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.<\/p>\n

C. \u00a0The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.<\/p>\n

D<\/strong>. \u00a0The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

E<\/strong>. \u00a0The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home\/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Score the pest for Environmental Impact. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes none of the above to occur.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes one of the above to occur.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> causes two or more of the above to occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction to California for Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> (Taro Planthopper):\u00a0 Medium(12)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Add up the total score and include it here.<\/p>\n

–Low<\/strong> = 5-8 points<\/p>\n

–Medium<\/strong> = 9-12 points<\/span><\/p>\n

–High<\/strong> = 13-15 points<\/p>\n

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information<\/span>:<\/strong> Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> has never been found in the environment of California and receives a Not established (0)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the known distribution in California. Only official records identified by a taxonomic expert and supported by voucher specimens deposited in natural history collections should be considered. Pest incursions that have been eradicated, are under eradication, or have been delimited with no further detections should not be included.<\/p>\n

–Not established (0)<\/strong> Pest never detected in California, or known only from incursions.<\/span><\/p>\n

–Low (-1)<\/strong> Pest has a localized distribution in California, or is established in one suitable climate\/host area (region).<\/p>\n

–Medium (-2)<\/strong> Pest is widespread in California but not fully established in the endangered area, or pest established in two contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n

–High (-3)<\/strong> Pest has fully established in the endangered area, or pest is reported in more than two contiguous or non-contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n

Final Score:<\/h5>\n

The final score is the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: Medium(12) <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Uncertainty: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> is frequently intercepted.\u00a0 Presumably, the planthopper sometimes escapes detection and enters California.\u00a0 There have not been any formal surveys for the pest in the state, so it is possible that it may have established in some locations.<\/p>\n

Conclusion and Rating Justification: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

Tarophagus colocasiae<\/em> has never been found in the environment of California.\u00a0 However, if it were to enter the state economic and environmental impacts would be limited to taro plants in home gardens and small-scale commercial farms.\u00a0 A \u201cB\u201d rating is justified.<\/p>\n

References:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1<\/sup>CABI Plantwise Knowledge Bank.\u00a0 http:\/\/www.plantwise.org\/KnowledgeBank\/Datasheet.aspx?dsid=52786<\/a><\/p>\n

2<\/sup> USDA Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance & Tracking System (PCIT) Phytosanitary Export Database (PExD).\u00a0 https:\/\/pcit.aphis.usda.gov\/pcit\/<\/a><\/p>\n

3<\/sup>Robinson, Ramona and Cara Allen.\u00a0 2014.\u00a0 Taro root (Colocasia escuelenta<\/em>) reported naturalizing in California.\u00a0 California Department of Parks and Recreation.\u00a0 http:\/\/www.cal-ipc.org\/symposia\/archive\/pdf\/2014\/Poster2014_Robison.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

4<\/sup> Halbert, Susan E. and Charles R. Bartlett. The taro planthopper, Tarophagus colocasiae (Matsumura), a new delphacid planthopper in Florida. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Pest Alert.\u00a0 http:\/\/www.freshfromflorida.com\/Divisions-Offices\/Plant-Industry\/Plant-Industry-Publications\/Pest-Alerts\/Tarophagus-colocasiae<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Responsible Party:<\/h5>\n

Jason Leathers, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, (916) 654-1211, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov.<\/p>\n

\n
Comment Format:<\/h5>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Comments should refer to the appropriate California Pest Rating Proposal Form subsection(s)\u00a0being commented on, as shown below.<\/p>\n

Example Comment:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction: \u00a01. Climate\/Host Interaction:\u00a0[Your comment that relates to \u201cClimate\/Host Interaction\u201d here.<\/em>]<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Posted comments will not be able to be viewed immediately.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Comments may not be posted if they:<\/p>\n

Contain inappropriate language which is not germane to\u00a0the pest rating proposal;<\/p>\n

Contains defamatory, false, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, pornographic,\u00a0sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, discriminatory or illegal\u00a0material;<\/p>\n

Violates agency regulations prohibiting sexual harassment or other forms\u00a0of discrimination;<\/p>\n

Violates agency regulations prohibiting workplace violence, including threats.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Comments may be edited prior to posting to ensure they are entirely germane.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Posted comments shall be those which have been approved in content and posted to the\u00a0website to be viewed, not just submitted.<\/p>\n

\n

Pest Rating: \u00a0B<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

Posted by ls<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

California Pest Rating for Tarophagus colocasiae (Matsumura): Taro Planthopper Hemiptera: Delphacidae Pest Rating: \u00a0B PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: \u00a0 Tarophagus colocasiae is commonly intercepted by California\u2019s high risk programs.\u00a0 This planthopper is currently assigned a temporary rating of \u201cQ\u201d and is therefore in need of a permanent pest rating. History & Status: Background:\u00a0 Tarophagus … Continue reading Tarophagus colocasiae (Matsumura) | Taro Planthopper<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[18,5],"tags":[262,186,52,250,264,263],"class_list":["post-1463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hemiptera","category-entomology","tag-delphacidae","tag-hemiptera","tag-insects-and-mites","tag-invertebrate","tag-taro-planthopper","tag-tarophagus-colocasiae"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5l8vQ-nB","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14212,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=14212","url_meta":{"origin":1463,"position":0},"title":"Kallitaxila granulata (St\u00e5l): A planthopper","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"October 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating Profile for Kallitaxila granulata (St\u00e5l): A planthopper Pest Rating: B Comment Period:\u00a010\/22\/2025 \u2013 12\/06\/2025 Download Pest Rating Profile *NOTE You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. 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If you have registered and have not received the registration confirmation, please contact us at plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov. Posted by ka","rel":"","context":"In "C-Rated"","block_context":{"text":"C-Rated","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=671"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":7438,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=7438","url_meta":{"origin":1463,"position":3},"title":"Ceroplastes dugesii Lichtenstein: Duges wax scale Hemiptera: Coccidae","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"August 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating Profile for Ceroplastes dugesii Lichtenstein: Dugg wax scale Hemiptera: CoccidaePest Rating: A download pest rating Profile *NOTE: You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you have registered and have not received the registration confirmation, please contact us at permits[@]cdfa.ca.gov. Posted by ka","rel":"","context":"In "A-Rated"","block_context":{"text":"A-Rated","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=669"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":6132,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=6132","url_meta":{"origin":1463,"position":4},"title":"Cotton Seed Bug | Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa)","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"June 4, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating Profile for Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa): Cotton Seed BugHemiptera: Oxycarenidae Pest Rating A DOWNLOAD PEST RATING profile Author\/Responsible Party: Kyle Beucke, 2800 Gateway Oaks Dr, Sacramento, CA, 95833, 916-403-6741, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov Updated by ls","rel":"","context":"In "A-Rated"","block_context":{"text":"A-Rated","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=669"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1463","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1463"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1463\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10350,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1463\/revisions\/10350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}