Philippine Journal of Science 152 (3): 809-820, June 2023 ISSN 0031 - 7683 Date Received: 02 Dec 2022 New Records of Podontia quatuordecimpunctata (L.) (Sineguelas Leaf Beetle) (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) on Spondias spp. (Anacardiaceae) and Its Geographic Distribution in the Philippines Joel L. Adorada1, Orlando A. Calcetas2*, Rachel Ann A. Anabo1, Charles L. Staines3, Madora Abril D. Gallegos2, Brian Joseph S. Zulueta1, Monalisa O. Recuenco1, Flora C. Alvarez4, and Albert A. Serquina4 1Bureau of Plant Industry–Los Baños National Crop Research, Development, and Production Support Center, Timugan, Los Baños 4030 Laguna, Philippines 2Regional Crop Protection Center, Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Office IVA-CALABARZON, Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines 3Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, Maryland, United States 4Office of the City Veterinary and Agricultural Services, Bolbok, Batangas City, Philippines Podontia quatuordecimpunctata (L.) or the “sineguelas” leaf beetle is reported from the Philippines. Red sineguelas (Spondias purpurea L.), golden apple or yellow sineguelas (S. dulcis Forst.), and hog plum or “libas” [S. pinnata (L.f.) Kurz.] are reported as host plants. However, feeding on S. philippinensis (Elm.) and S. mombin L. (hog plum are unverified. The current geographic distribution and pest status of P. quatuordecimpunctata are presented. Keywords: flea beetle, insect pest, leaf beetle, “sineguelas” INTRODUCTION Unfortunately, the IBPGR (1986) misattributed the presence and the considerable damage inflicted by Podontia quatuordecimpunctata (L.) 1767 has various Podontia 14-punctata and P. affinis on the leaves of common names: “ambara” defoliator (India), hog plum “ambarella” S. dulcis Forst. (syn. S. cytherea Sonn.) in flea beetle (Bangladesh), “kedodong” beetle (Malaysia) or Malaysia and Indonesia by citing Ochse and Bakhuizen here as “sineguelas” leaf beetle (SLB); it is an introduced van den Brink (1977) in his report. Further review and economically important pest in the Philippines revealed that there is no mention of the two insect pests (Figures 1A and B). This is also the first record of the on the paper. However, there is also considerable photo genus in the country. The pest is distributed in peninsular documentation posted on the iNaturalist (2022) website Malaysia, India, Nepal, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, regarding the presence of P. quatuordecimpunctata in Laos, Cambodia, and Japan (Mohamedsaid 2004; Löbl different parts of Indonesia, Borneo, and the Philippines. and Smetana 2010; Minami et al. 2018). In Bangladesh, Scientists have apprehensions and appreciations of the Hossain et al. (2004), Udin and Khan (2015), Rani et al. accuracy of this web-based social media platform [Staines (2021), and Rahman et al. (2022) studied the pest. (2022), pers. comm.]. Also, Kalshoven (1981) reported *Corresponding author: orly.calcetas@yahoo.com P. affinis (Gröndal, 1808) in Indonesia, and Romantsov orlando.calcetas@calabarzon.da.gov.ph and Medvedev (2015) reported P. flava Baly, 1865 in 809 Philippine Journal of Science Diopol et al.: Production of High-maltose Syrup Vol. 152 No. 3, June 2023 from Rice (Oryza satiba L.) Bran according to Paterson (1943), represent complex characters supporting the monophyly of the Blepharida group. The biology of P. quatuordecimpunctata as an economically important pest was extensively studied on hog (plum) S. pinnata (=S. mangifera Willd.) and or S. dulcis in India (Corbett and Yusope 1921), Pramanik and Basu (1973), Sardar and Mondal (1983), and Singh and Misra (1989). Hossain et al. (2004) also studied the biology of the pest S. pinnata in Bangladesh. Deka and Kalita (1999, 2000a) studied the biology of the pest S. pinnata in Assam (northeast India) in the field and laboratory for seven months from April–October 1999 and under field conditions from 1999–2001. Prathapan and Chaboo (2011) provided a comprehensive list of the different natural enemies and recorded host plants. In addition, Deka and Kalita (1999) made several studies assessing foliage loss (2002b), distribution pattern of its larvae under natural conditions (2002c), seasonal incidence (2002d), its natural enemies (2003 and 2004), and the efficacy of different insecticides (2003) on S. pinnata in India. The phytochemicals of S. pinnata and S. dulcis in the regulation of nutritional ecology Figure 1 . Sinegue las l ea f bee t le (SLB) (Podont ia and population dynamics of the pest were studied by Roy quatuordecimpunctata (L.), 1767); [A] habitus, dorsal (2015) in India. Udin and Khan (2015) determined the aspect with orange elytra; [B] habitus, dorsal aspect, with effects of different insecticides under laboratory and field yellow elytra; [C] habitus, ventral aspect of an adult male conditions in Bangladesh. Khatun et al. (2016), determined and showing the U-shaped genital opening; [D] habitus, the feeding, growth, and chemical control in Bangladesh. ventral aspect of an adult female. Rahman et al. (2022) made a sustainable pest management approach to mitigate the hog plum leaf beetle on S. dulcis in Bangladesh. Rani et al. (2021) studied the life history Borneo (Sarawak and Sabah) and P. lutea (Olivier, 1790) traits and food consumption and in a separate publication, in Borneo. the morphometrics of the pest on S. pinnata in Bangladesh. In October 1895, Bateman collected specimens and sent them to the Indian Museum, which was reported in 1914 “Sineguelas” (Spondias purpurea L.) by Stebbing on hog plum [Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz.] The Spanish plum (Spondias purpurea L.) or Mexican plum in Calcutta, India. There are previous reports of the insect or “jocote” is native to tropical regions of North and Central on S. pinnata by Barlow (1900) and Maxwell-Lefroy America (Figure 2A). According to the Kew Royal Botanic (1909). Pierce (1917) listed Podontia 14-punctata in the Garden (2022), the fruit is native to Belize, Colombia, United States Department of Agriculture’s manual of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, dangerous insects likely to be introduced into the United Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and southwest Caribbean States through importations from India as a defoliating and was introduced to the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bolivia, beetle on rubber tree Ficus elastica Roxb. ex. Hornem Cayman Is., Cuba, Dominican Republic, Florida, French (Moraceae). Recently, Prathapan and Chaboo (2011) Guiana, Galápagos, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, provided an updated list of 12 host plants of this pest Java, Leeward Is., Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Senegal, belonging to four different plant families: Anacardiaceae, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, and Burseraceae, Lythraceae, and Moraceae. However, Windward Is. (Figure 2B). reports on plants other than Spondias spp. are unverified, especially those of maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum In the Philippines, different languages used different (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) (Poaceae) in Bangladesh terms: “sineguelas” or “sirhuelas” (Tagalog), “saguelas” (APPC 1987). and “sarguelas” (Ilokano), “saraguelas” (Ibanag), “sereguelas” (Central Visayas), and “sireguelas” (Bicol). Peculiar to Podontia immature forms is that the larva Sineguelas belongs to the cashew family Anacardiaceae covers its dorsum with feces. The species’ dorsally- and is a relative of cashew and mango. It became a positioned anus and unique fecal covering behavior, pantropic species (naturalized throughout the tropics all 810 Philippine Journal of Science Diopol et al.: Production of High-maltose Syrup Vol. 152 No. 3, June 2023 from Rice (Oryza satiba L.) Bran for thousands of years. Although much eaten, it is not considered a high-quality fruit, with a tendency to cause stomach aches when eaten in large quantities when semi- ripe. A compound isolated from fruit extract is lutein, which was reported to have antimicrobial and antimutagenecity potential. In a study of 84 plants screened for in vitro activity against five enterobacteria pathogenic to man, S. purpurea was one of 10 plants that showed the best antibacterial activity (Escober and Quero 2003). In the Philippines, Ragasa et al. (2001) identified antimicrobial compounds from the dried bark of S. purpurea, which tested positive against seven microorganisms. The sap or gum from the tree is used as glue and is combined with pineapple to make a treatment for jaundice. Sineguelas is also used for the treatment of tonsillitis and stomatitis in children (Ragasa et al. 2001). Before the introduction of P. quatuordecimpunctata, there was no known major pest of sineguelas in the Philippines except for some problems with fruit flies (OCVAS, unpublished report). Gabriel (1997) reported 10 minor insect pests of red sineguelas (S. purpurea). Tree trunks and branches were attacked by two longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) species Niphonoclea albata (Neuman) and N. capito Pascoe. Several insect species were also reported feeding on sineguelas shoots and leaves: “salaguinto” (Anomala sp.; Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae), a slug caterpillar (Thosea Figure 2. [A] Red sineguelas tree (Spondias purpurea L.); [B] philippina Holloway; Lepidoptera: Limacodidae), global geographic distribution of sineguelas (Spondias bagworm (Amatissa cuprea Moore; Lepidoptera: purpurea L.). It is native to Central and Northern Psychidae), and three species of tussock caterpillars Americas (green) and introduced to other countries of [Euproctis varians (Walker), Lymantria lunata (Stoll), and the world (violet) [map courtesy of Kew Royal Botanic Metanastria hyrtaca Cramer; Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae]. Garden 2022)]. Hog plum (Spondias pinnata) is more prevalent in the Bicol region and is an alternative host of SLB (Figure 3). Local over the world) and is widely grown for its edible fruits names of the plant are “lannu” or “lanu” (Cagayan); “libas” throughout the Philippines, where they are cultivated in (Bataan, Tayabas, Capiz, Iloilo, Cotabato, and Zamboanga), low altitudes (Pancho and Gruezo 2006). The fruit has and “lubas” or “libas” (Bicol) (Florido and Cortiguera various names – red mombin, scarlet plum, hog plum, 2003). The tree is native to India, Burma (Myanmar), purple “mombin,” “ciruela,” and “huesito” in Venezuela; Indonesia, southern China, Thailand, and throughout “ciruela,” “iruela,” and “traqueadora” in Panama; and Malesia to the Solomon Islands. Its wood is suitable for “ciriguela,” “cirguela,” or “cirguelo” in Ecuador. The plant the manufacture of matchsticks, matchboxes, boxes, and was brought to the Philippines by Spanish explorers from crates (Florido and Cortiguera 2003). Leaves are also used Central America in the last 400 years, and it was only in as feed for cattle in Batangas and goats in Iloilo. 2009 in San Miguel, Batangas City, and 2007 or 2008 in Brookes Point, Palawan that the leaf beetle pest was first observed and was presumed to be introduced in the Economic Significance country from South or Southeast Asia. The Department of Agriculture–Regional Crop Protection Center (DA-RCPC) IV-A-CALABARZON first monitored According to Pancho and Gruezo (2006), there are five the presence of SLB in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas in species of the genus Spondias L. in the Philippines: S. August 2016 and Agoncillo in 2017 [Sandoval and philippinensis (Elm.), S. purpurea L. (red fruit variety), Manzanilla (2016, 2017, unpublished report)]. The second S. mombin L. (hog plum), S. dulcis Forst. (golden apple author tentatively identified the pest as a chrysomelid or yellow fruit variety), and S. pinnata (L. f.) Kurz. (hog beetle by submitting it for confirmation with an expert plum). Sineguelas has been used for herbal medicine [Calcetas (2016, unpublished notes)]. The specimen 811 Philippine Journal of Science Diopol et al.: Production of High-maltose Syrup Vol. 152 No. 3, June 2023 from Rice (Oryza satiba L.) Bran Figure 3. Foliage of hog plum or “libas” [Spondias pinnata (L.)]. was sent for identification to Dr. Charles Staines, the (2021, unpublished report)]. In Mexico, the fruit is an world expert on hispines and other Chrysomelidae at the important source of income for many small growers in Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA. A much the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Puebla, Sinaloa, Chiapas, earlier detection was by Ms. Marilyn Gico of San Miguel, and Yucatan (Garcia and Bernal 1998). Batangas City, who has been engaged in the harvesting and marketing of sineguelas since 1995. She attested that A farmer’s forum and consultation session was held on the beetle and larvae were first observed in May 2009. The 29 Aug 2019. Before the introduction of SLB, a typical orange larvae often fall on her face while she harvested sineguelas tree can yield an average of PHP 3,000 (USD sineguelas fruits. They did not control SLB until the advent 52.91) worth of fruits every other day for 30 days – based of the pandemic when the population and damage reached on the sineguelas fruit farm gate price of PHP 1.00 (USD economic levels. A similar sighting report was made in 0.017) per fruit. Therefore, a farmer with 100 sineguelas Balacan, Brookes Point, Palawan from 2007–2008 by trees per hectare earns PHP 90,000 (USD 1,587.30) pesos Mr. Raffy Tumines. He narrated that he used to climb per month. However, after three years of SLB infestation and eat sineguelas fruits on top of the tree at the back of in the area, resulted in a loss of approximately 70% (PHP their house and this is the first time he encountered the 2,000 or USD 35.27) was reported by the majority of the adults and the larvae. Ebora et al. (2017, unpublished farmers interviewed. Before, there were 12 cargo jeeps report) reported the pest from Bulsa, San Juan, Batangas fully loaded with sineguelas fruits leaving Batangas City as Podontia sp. Feeding damage was described, and the daily for Manila – but after the infestation, only a single life cycle was studied [Ebora et al., BPI-CPD, Manila jeep is needed (OCVAS, unpublished report). To manage (2017, unpublished report)]. In 2019, three years after SLB chemical insecticides (mostly Cypermethrin) were its reported introduction in 2016, SLB reached outbreak occasionally sprayed several times to prevent damage to levels in fruit farmers in San Miguel, Batangas City, the developing fruits [Acuzar (2022, pers. comm.)]. which is considered the largest producer. Based on the There are no reports in the literature on SLB on either latest survey conducted by the OCVAS, Batangas City, mango, cashew, or “pili” (Bursearceae: Canarium ovatum 10 barangays are dependent on sineguelas as the major Engl.). However, the threat of this invasive species to source of livelihood. The sineguelas fruit industry in this these and other plants is possible. Therefore, a detection part of the country started as a booming business in the survey SLB on major islands of the country, as well as 1970s, and many of the old trees in the area are 30–50 determining their current geographic distribution and years old. Currently, there are 14,537 trees of singuelas survey of different host plants, are vital in the development that are managed by 296 farmers in 10 barangays of of suitable control and management strategies. Batangas City within the slopes of Mt. Banoi [OCVAS 812 Philippine Journal of Science Diopol et al.: Production of High-maltose Syrup Vol. 152 No. 3, June 2023 from Rice (Oryza satiba L.) Bran MATERIAL AND METHODS DA-BPI-CPMD Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, Crop Survey Pest Management Division, San A nationwide detection survey was conducted from May Andres, Malate, Manila 2021–November 2022 to determine the presence and DA-BPI- Department of Agriculture, status of SLB, survey potential host plants, and access LBNCRDPSC Bureau of Plant Industry–Los other important pests of sineguelas. Forty (40) beetle Baños National Crop Research, specimens were examined with 20 males and 20 females. Development and Production They were collected using an insect nylon net or manually Support Center, BPI Economic handpicked and killed using 80% ethyl alcohol. Adult Garden, Timugan, Los Baños, specimens were preserved and pinned and deposited at Laguna the DA-RCPC-IVA and BPI-LBNCRDPSC (Los Baños National Crop Research, Development, and Production DA-BPI- Department of Agriculture, Support Center) collections. Voucher specimens were LGNCRDPSC Bureau of Plant Industry–La also deposited at the UPLB-MNH (University of the Granja National Crop Production Philippines Los Baños Museum of Natural History). Research Development and Production Support Center, Digital photos of SLBs and their damage symptoms were La Granja, La Carlota, Negros taken, and dead specimens of different life stages were Occidental also collected and preserved along with other associated DA-RCPC-IVA Department of Agriculture, arthropod pests of sineguelas and natural enemies. In Regional Crop Protection Center, addition, notes on the possible dates of introduction Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas and the extent of infestations were gathered from fruit farmers and traders, government agencies and officials, DA-RFO-IVA Department of Agriculture, agricultural technicians, and researchers from different Regional Field Office–IVA- research facilities around the country. CALABARZON, Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas Imaging DA-RFO-IVB Department of Agriculture, Color images of habitus and other morphological Regional Field Office-IVB- characters of the different stages of SLB and associated MIMAROPA, Camilmil, Calapan arthropods were taken using a Nikon®-D7110 DSLR City, Oriental Mindoro (24.71 megapixels) digital camera equipped with a Nikon DOST- Department of Science and Micro 40 mm or 150 mm 1:2.8G lenses and mounted on PCAARRD Technology–Philippine Council a microscope arm track stand. The camera was attached for Agriculture, Aquatic, and to a Mac® computer and remotely controlled with a Natural Resources Research and mouse using Helicon Remote® software. Time-lapse Development, Paseo de Valmayor, photography functions at predetermined intervals while Timugan, Economic Garden, Los manually adjusting the microscope’s coarse and fine Baños, Laguna adjustment knobs. This is to hasten the process and prevent OCVAS Office of the City Veterinary and unnecessary movement when pressing the camera’s shutter Agricultural Services, Bolbok, button. Lighting was provided by several units of light- Batangas City emitting diode (LED) ring lights and LED bulbs mounted on a movable study lamp and covered with a Pixco® camera flash diffuser for maximum lighting. Afterward, digital photographs were tethered using Helicon Remote® RESULTS AND DISCUSSION (ver. 3.9.12 M) and combined using Helicon Focus® (ver. 7.7.4) stacking software and then digitally enhanced, “Sineguelas” Leaf Beetle [Podontia cropped, and cleaned from any unwanted blemishes using ® quatuordecimpunctata (L.)]Windows-based Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020 and The SLB is a robust and brightly colored flea beetle. The stored in a TIFF format. antenna has 11 segments, the head and pronotum are The acronyms used are as follows: yellow and the elytra are either salmon pink, orange, or yellow and with yellow legs. However, after death, the salmon pink elytra turn orange while the yellow elytra turn to cream. There are 14 collective black, irregularly 813 Philippine Journal of Science Diopol et al.: Production of High-maltose Syrup Vol. 152 No. 3, June 2023 from Rice (Oryza satiba L.) Bran coat acts as a deterrent against predatory ants (Vencl and Morton 1998; Vencl et al. 1999). The larva pupates in the soil, thus creating a pupal case out of regurgitated soil particles and mud (Figure 4C). The adults were occasionally observed mating for long hours and falling to the ground when alarmed (Figure 4D). Hosts of SLB in the Philippines The most abundant host of SLB in the country is the Spanish plum or sineguelas (Spondias purpurea) since they are widely cultivated in Batangas, Pangasinan, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, and as a fence or an ordinary backyard fruit tree around the country compared to other related species (Figures 5A–B and 7). Heavy infestation and extensive defoliation of sineguelas foliage, mostly on young shoots and leaves, were observed in different parts of the country. All of the S. purpurea trees visited and monitored in different parts of the country were infested. Currently, a study on the biology, population dynamics, and employment of different integrated pest management strategies is underway through a two-year collaborative Figure 4 . Sinegue las l ea f bee t le (SLB) [Podont ia quatuordecimpunctata (L.), 1767)]; [A] egg cluster; [B] project spearheaded by DA-RFO-IVA-CALABARZON larva; [C] pupal case; [D] adults mating. and DA-BPI-LBNCRDPSC and funded by the DOST- PCAARRD. rounded spots on the elytra, thus arriving with the name quatuordecimpunctata or an old abbreviated name of Podontia 14-punctata. Counting the individual black spots, there are 9–10 on each elytron for a total of 18–20 spots for both males and females. There are five levels of spots: two spots on the anterior, two spots on the apical third, one spot on the medial, two spots on the basal third, and two to three spots on the basal part. The spot in the middle at the basal part is sometimes attached to the spot adjacent to the sutural margin and sometimes individually separated from it. There are also ten distinct longitudinal punctured striae on each elytron. The male has a U-shaped genital opening at the last abdominal ventrite (Figure 1C), whereas the female has none (Figure 1D). Also, the III and IV abdominal ventrites are C-shaped on males and nearly straight on females. The eggs are white and oblong and measure about an average length and diameter of 1.82 x 0.85 mm. They are laid mostly on the abaxial surface of the leaf (Figure 4A). The immature and mature larvae and adults voraciously Figure 5. Red sineguelas tree (Spondias purpurea L.).[A] flowers; feed on the young shoots and young and tender leaves [B] fruits; Yellow Sineguelas tree (Spondias dulcis (Figure 4B). In severe cases, it can defoliate the whole tree Forst.); [C] flowers;[D] fruits. in India and Bangladesh (Corbett and Yusope 1921; Deka and Kalita 2002b; Rani et al. 2021). According to Deka and Kalita (2002b), the larvae prefer to feed on the young The golden apple, yellow mombin or locally known as and tender leaves of S. dulcis and S. pinnata in India. The “yellow sineguelas” (Spondias dulcis), is more common larva typically covers its body with its feces to serve as in Ilocos Norte and is less prevalent and less preferred a defense mechanism against vertebrate and invertebrate by farmers in other parts of the country since the fruits predators (Figures 4B and 6A–C). Additionally, this fecal are less sweet, faster to ripen, less firm, and with low 814 Philippine Journal of Science Diopol et al.: Production of High-maltose Syrup Vol. 152 No. 3, June 2023 from Rice (Oryza satiba L.) Bran market value (Figures 5C and D). This is in contrast to red mombin – which is sweeter, takes longer to ripen, is much firmer, and with higher market value. Red sineguelas has red flowers and red to maroon fruits when ripe or mature compared to yellow sineguelas with yellow flowers and green fruits when ripe. The trees monitored in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte were free from SLB at the time of monitoring (December 2021) (Figure 7). Since there are numerous records of SLB infesting S. dulcis in India and Bangladesh it is only a matter of time before the trees will be infested. The vendor interviewed by the team near Bangui Wind farm, Bangui, Ilocos Norte noted the extensive infestation of the “orange beetle” and “orange worm” in different parts of the province where sineguelas are extensively grown. However, to prolong the shelf life of the fruit and maintain its freshness it is recommended to refrigerate them inside the vegetable compartment [Calcetas (2022, unpublished notes)]. SLB also feeds in great numbers on hog plum or “libas or lubas” (S. pinnata). In the Philippines, they are less planted compared to the two above species. They are more prevalent in the Bicol region. Its local names are “lannu” or “lanu” (Cagayan), “libas” (Bataan, Tayabas, Capiz, Iloilo, Cotabato, and Zamboanga), and “lubas” or “libas” (Bicol) (Florido and Cortiguera 2003) (Figure 7). The young shoots and leaves are used as filling for fish Figure 6. Feeding damage symptoms of sineguelas leaf beetle cooked in coconut milk called “sinanglay,” whereas the (SLB) (Podontia quatuordecimpunctata (L.), 1767); [A] young leaves are dried and used in the preparation of neonate larvae; [B] different larval instars; [C] feeding “laing,” a very popular Bicolano dish, and also used as damage of larva on sineguelas fruit; [D] adult beetle an alternative souring agent for fish and other delicacies feeding on foliage. (Florido and Cortiguera 2003; Nicolas 2022, pers. comm.). Leaves are also used as feed for cattle in Batangas and goats in Iloilo. However, in the Philippines, they are less and mature sineguelas fruits (Figure 6C). Adults are also planted compared to the other species. The fruits are voracious foliage feeders (Figure 6D). seldom used or eaten in the country since it’s too sour unlike in India and other countries, wherein according to Geographic Distribution of SLB in the Philippines Mondal and Amin (1990), its fruits are edible, delicious, Luzon. The geographic distribution and the extent of SLB and sources of vitamin C and carotene. Probably, they are infestation in the Philippines were determined, and the different varieties of the plant. different sineguelas-producing provinces in the country Other than these hosts there are no other crops or plants were identified (Figure 7). SLB was first sighted with that SLB feeds on. They are just sometimes seen resting or certainty in 2009 by Ms. Marilyn Gico together with her mating on top of weeds, grasses, and other crops planted husband and mother-in-law of San Miguel, Batangas City within the area after falling from the tree top or as newly who have been engaged in the harvesting and marketing emerged adults from pupal cases. of sineguelas since 1995. The earliest massive infestation report was in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas in August 2016 in San Miguel, Batangas City, and in Agoncillo in 2017. Feeding Damage of SLB on Spondias purpurea SLB was observed in Lemery, Calatagan, and Lobo. The newly hatched larva or neonate immediately feeds Batangas City is a major hub for different oil refineries in on the foliage of young shoots and young leaves of the country and a major shipping port to South Asia and sineguelas. They can only scrape the upper surface of the Southeast Asian countries; thus, this is the most plausible leaf and fail to create holes, whereas much older larvae cause of the pest’s accidental introduction. A study on can directly create feeding holes and can voraciously natural history, biology, ecology, and population dynamics defoliate the plant (Figures 6A and B). Larvae and adults was conducted in Batangas in 2021–2022 (unpublished were also observed in the field to feed on the developing report 2022). 815 Philippine Journal of Science Diopol et al.: Production of High-maltose Syrup Vol. 152 No. 3, June 2023 from Rice (Oryza satiba L.) Bran Figure 7. Infestation of sineguelas leaf beetle (SLB) (Podontia quatuordecimpunctata (L.), 1767) on red sineguelas (Spondias purpurea L.) (red circle), yellow sineguelas (S. dulcis Forst.) (yellow circle), and hog plum or “libas” (S. pinnata (L.)) (black circle) in the Philippines. Map courtesy of Dr. Sheryl A. Yap of IWEP-UPLB, Los Baños, Laguna, unpublished thesis 2004. SLB was recently observed on sineguelas in the other In the north of Luzon, SLB was monitored on several three provinces of Southern Tagalog – Laguna (Los trees of red sineguelas planted near the seashore in Sta. Baños in 2021), Rizal (Tanay in 2020 and Angono in Maria, Ilocos Sur. However, the golden apple or yellow 2022), and Quezon (Lopez in 2022). It was also observed sineguelas (S. dulcis), which are commonly planted in the in Tiaong, Quezon on “libas” (S. pinnata) (Bihis 2022, coastal barangay of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte were free from pers. comm.). These provinces are bordered by the Sierra the pest during the time visit in April 2022. Madre Mountain, the largest and longest mountain range in the country. The beetles were first observed by local A trip to the flat plain on the island of Sta. Lucia, Sablayan, fruit farmers and traders in 2019 on sineguelas in Central Occidental Mindoro in December 2021 confirmed its Luzon in Floridablanca and Porac, Pampanga, and in presence in the area. SLB was first sighted on sineguelas 2020 in Bani and Manaoag, Pangasinan. These fruits were in 2020 according to local farmers. According to them, transported to Manila or sold around the premises of the their sineguelas fruits are much sweeter, tastier, and less famous church in Manaoag according to local traders. attacked by fruit flies due to their drier climate. The 816 Philippine Journal of Science Diopol et al.: Production of High-maltose Syrup Vol. 152 No. 3, June 2023 from Rice (Oryza satiba L.) Bran majority of sineguelas trees planted in the province are Flores – a meat vendor – first observed the pest in 2019. red or maroon according to local farmers (S. purpurea). Ms. Raquel Badenas of the coastal barangay of Balacan, Brookes Point first observed SLB in 2019, she even A survey for SLB in the Bicol region in August 2022 recalls that the larvae oftentimes crawl into their houses. showed at present in abundant numbers of red sineguelas A Beauveria sp. infected adult was collected in the area. in Lupi, Camarines Sur (northern part of the province and Interestingly, Raffy Tumines of Balacan recalled that he region; mountainous) and in Pio Duran, Albay (eastern first observed the pest sometime in 2007–2008 since he coastal part of the province and region). Surprisingly, frequently climbed the tree to manually harvest and eat some of the trees monitored in Pio Duran did not have the fruit. This is similar to an earlier claim of Ms. Marilyn feeding damage and with no beetles found, whereas a few Gico of San Miguel, Batangas City, who also harvested kilometers away from the same coastal barangay, SLB the fruit by herself in 2009. was abundant with distinct feeding damage observed. The high winds of the sea toward the coast may have According to some locals, there are numerous sineguelas prevented adults from migrating to these uninfested trees, trees in Puerto Princesa City but due to increasing and it clearly shows a recent introduction of the pest in the urbanization and development, most of them were cut area. The pest was also sampled on hog plum (S. pinnata) down. This same scenario was also encountered in Guimbal, in Pili, Camarines Sur (southern part of the province and Iloilo. Mr. Renato Venturillo of San Manuel, Puerto region; flat plain). The hog plum is famous in the region Princesa City has 20–30-year-old trees and first observed since they are used as a souring agent for “bulalo” or meat SLB presence in 2019, he sells the fruit on their fruit stand broth and fish delicacies (Nicolas 2022, pers. comm.). in the city market at PHP 100.00 per 100 pieces or PHP Severe infestation of the pest was observed, even though 1.00 per fruit. The pupal case in the area is brownish since the leaves of the plant are much larger, thicker, and waxier the soil is generally dark brown in color. Mr. and Mrs. Perry compared to both the red and yellow sineguelas. and Emma Padalapat also of San Manuel used to prune their sineguelas trees to control or manage the pest; thus, plenty The pest was reported in the remote province of Romblon in of new shoots and beetle larvae of different stages were July 2022; it seriously affected the harvest of a 5.0-hectare observed on the tree since the production of young leaves sineguelas farm in Brgy. Tugdan, Alcantara, Romblon favors the growth and development of young larvae. He also (Mercene 2022, pers. comm.). Based on an interview with noted that they first observed SLB sometime in 2014–2015. local farmers, the pest has been causing damage on the Before the infestation, they harvested four full paint pail remote island since 2017 and is considered the third earliest containers of sineguelas fruits, which is approximately 16 record of the pest in the country. Most likely, the pest was kg per container; however, now they can only harvest one transported to the island via the “Roro (roll-on-roll-off) container full of fruit. The date coincides with the first pest- shipping routes.” A similar scenario on the accidental reported outbreak in 2016 in San Miguel, Batangas City. transport of rice black bug [Scotinophora sorsogonensis Barrion et al. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)] from Calamba, These findings support our earlier hypothesis that SLB Laguna to Romblon through the use of rice hay on the trade in Palawan must have been introduced on the island by and transport of mallard duck via the same shipping route a route different from the introduction in Batangas City. [Calcetas (2007; unpublished RCPC report)]. The proximity of the islands of Mindanao and Palawan to other Asian countries is a constant threat and avenue for Palawan. A recent report by an entomologist of DA- the accidental crossing and introduction of pests between RCPC-MIMAROPA and personnel in charge of pest and the continent and our island country through the shipping disease occurrences in Palawan confirmed the presence of industry. According to the Philippine Ports Authority SLB in the southern part of the island of Ipilan, Brookes and the National Plant Quarantine and Services Division Point, which is closest to Malaysia and mainland Asia (NPQSD) in Brookes Point, there is a trip from the port to and in San Manuel and San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City Tawi-Tawi, which is a 14-hour trip by small boat. However, [Mercene and Bauzon (July 2022, pers. comm.)]. A trips to the nearby island of Banggi (Pulau Banggi), Sabah, survey in October 2022 confirmed a moderate infestation Malaysia, and other nearby foreign lands are all illegal, in Balacan, Brookes Point, and a severe infestation undocumented, and unauthorized. New findings suggest in Salugon, Brookes Point. According to Mr. Celso that there is a parallel introduction of the pest in Batangas Lactaotao of Salugon, his two sineguelas trees produced City and the island of Palawan, most probably by ship. approximately 100 kg of the fruits before the introduction of SLB in 2020; however, after its infestation, he incurred Visayas. According to sineguelas farmers and fruit a 100% yield loss. He sells his produce in Bataraza Public traders of San Miguel and Sto. Nino, Batangas City, Iloilo Market and harvests the fruits by using a black net laid province is the next largest exporter of fruit in the greater around the tree and manually handpicking them. In the Manila area and their main competitor, for they deliver nearby barangay of Sarasa, Brookes Point, Gabriel the fruits by airplane and also with the superior quality 817 Philippine Journal of Science Diopol et al.: Production of High-maltose Syrup Vol. 152 No. 3, June 2023 from Rice (Oryza satiba L.) Bran of their produce. Traders from Iloilo make sure that their [Guzman and Manigos (2021, pers. comm.)]. This largest fruits are uniformly ripe and reddish to be high-priced southern island of Mindanao is much closer to Borneo and and competitive compared to fruits from mainland Luzon, Indonesia, where the pest is known to be present. which are less uniform in color and maturity. From 06–07 Sep 2022, the team visited Iloilo province; there are six towns with large plantations of sineguelas – Guimbal, Miagao, San Joaquin, Igbaran, Tubungan, and Badjangan DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION [Guimbal Agricultural Technicians (2022, pers. comm.)]. Ms. Rosalina Barrion of Sta. Rosa, Guimbal is one of This is the first record of the genus and species Podontia the several traders of the fruit, and the highway street quatuordecimpunctata in the Philippines and also the where she lived in the same area in the province is where first record of Spondias purpurea as host plant of the the fruits are retailed along with Madras thorn or locally pest. Currently, the beetle was observed feeding on known as “kamatsile” [Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Spondias purpurea, S. dulcis, and S. pinnata, and there Benth.] (Fabaceae) and “duhat” [Syzygium cumini (L.) is no record yet of the pest on S. philippinensis and S. Skeels] (Myrtaceae) during its fruiting season. As a trader, mombin. However, the search for other alternate host she was able to sell to retailers approximately 10 sacks of plants is still ongoing. Based on our recent survey the the fruit every other day starting in April. SLB was first pest is present in all major islands of the country except observed in these areas during the nascent period of the for yellow sineguelas area of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022) according to some However, the presence of several research studies on the farmers and traders. Unfortunately, some of the trees in biology, ecology, and integrated pest management in India the coastal barangay of Guimbal will be cut down to give and Bangladesh on S. dulcis made it evident that only time way to some infrastructure projects. Another notable insect will tell for how long SLB will need to reach the northern pest of sineguelas in Iloilo, according to locals are June tip of the province. SLB was able to spread from Batangas beetles or “salagubang,” which are mostly Leucopholis City to different islands of the country through shipping spp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) based routes and multiply rapidly on even irregularly distributed on the descriptions and illustrations that were shown to sineguelas trees but failed to establish on plants other than them. They are abundant during May and June in the members of the genus Spondias. However, the parallel area. However, Numancia, Aklan is the largest producer introduction of the pest on the island of Palawan and some of sineguelas in Aklan [Guimbal Agriculture Technicians parts of Mindanao provinces is most likely through Sabah, (2022, pers. comm.)]. The SLB was also present in the Malaysia, or Indonesia via a shipping route from the island neighboring province of Camanci, Batan, Aklan, and this of Banggi and other interisland routes. was confirmed by Mr. Glenn Tabasa, whose friend in the area sent digital photos [Tabasa (2021, pers. comm.)]. SLB was also monitored on the island of Guimaras on the same date as the first observation in Iloilo [Yonder (2021, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS pers. comm.)]. SLB was similarly observed in the adjacent Thanks to DOST-PCAARRD for the funding support. To the island of Negros Occidental, which is the sugarcane capital DA-BPI-LBNCRDPSC, DA-RFO-IVA-CALABARZON, of the Philippines and planted few sineguelas trees. It was and DA-RCPC-IVA for the use of facilities for the conduct monitored inside the vicinity of the BPI-LGNCRPSC, La of the study. To the valuable support and cooperation Granja, La Carlota City, and was first observed in 2021 by provided by the Batangas City Mayor’s office, barangay local farmers and officials of the research station [Discaya staff, and officials of San Miguel, Sto. Nino, and Malalim (2022, pers. comm.)]. The majority of the trees planted in and the independent survey and meetings conducted by the these provinces are red sineguelas. OCVAS of Batangas City. Great appreciation is due to the different fruit farmer cooperators, as well as to the project Mindanao. The personnel of DA-RCPC-IVA who support staff for the valuable support on the conduct of visited and underwent training in the mountainous areas the field and laboratory studies and to DA-RARES-IVA of RCPC-X, Malaybalay, Bukidnon photographed and for the paperwork provided. were amazed by insect specimens inside a large insect display glass top box arranged in a heart-shaped fashion in the mini museum of the center. 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