Insects sucking sap from the flowers

[Phoenikakias]

Another insect came to my knowledge, that can be regarded as pest for the palms. It actually seems to feed on palm flowers only by sucking the sap from the buds and/or the rachis of the inflorescence. It is a small insect that can fly quite fast. When landed wings are attached to the body and therefore not apparent. It has a creamy white color. I will try to capture it in a picture tomorrow though difficult because of its tiny size. It prefers inflorescences of small palms such as Chamaedorea, Rhapis and Guihaia. If someone can guess its identity and can bring more information, I would appreciate it.

Edited April 30, 2017 by Phoenikakias

[Phoenikakias]

I have managed to capture one in picture!

[DoomsDave]

That looks like a "plant hopper" or similar sucking insect.

If there aren't many, I wouldn't worry too much about them, unless there's evidence they carry a disease. If they get to be a problem, you can treat with contact bug killers, like "Sevin" or systemics like orthene (be careful, though).

You can also hand-pick them (cats sometimes eat bugs).

[Phoenikakias]

Suddenly they became many. The inflorescence of my Guihaia was hosting quite a number of them.

[Phoenikakias]

Oh my, you have nailed it, David! It should be metcalfa pruinosa ( I have also oserved the produced honeydew on the inflorescences) and I have a terrible suspicion that it was humanly introduced in big quantities by honey producers. This also explains the  damages on inflorescences of big palms in my garden http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/53267-sheer-horror/. I think I should refer to Department of Agriculture here with all available evidence a.s.a.p.

Edited May 3, 2017 by Phoenikakias