Molecular Survey of Coconut Lethal Yellowing Phytoplasmas in Putative Insect Vectors in Ghana

ABSTRACT

Cape Saint Paul Wilt Disease (CSPWD), a lethal yellowing‐type disease of coconut associated with ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma palmicola’ (16SrXXII‐B), continues to threaten coconut production in Ghana. As most phytoplasma putative vectors belong to the suborder Auchenorrhyncha, we conducted field surveys in CSPWD‐devastated, actively diseased and healthy coconut plantations. In total, 13,919 14,025 individuals representing five families were collected, with Derbidae being the most abundant. Nested PCR screening of 282 pooled samples (~1900 insects) detected CSPWD (16SrXXII‐B)‐associated phytoplasma in Diostrombus sp. 1, Diostrombus sp. 2 and Patara armata from actively diseased and devastated coconut plantations. Although these taxa also occurred in healthy plantations, they tested negative for the pathogen. While vector competence remains to be verified, these results provide essential baseline data for targeted surveillance and transmission studies aimed at identifying confirmed CSPWD vectors in Ghana.