The white plant-hopper; an occasional pest of cocoa in Sabah
A recent outbreak of Colobesthes falcata Gue'r indicates the possibility that almost any phytophagous member of the cocoa entomofauna has the potential to become a pest if optimum conditions are generated. In the case of the recent flare-up, a prolonged period of dry weather and the indiscriminate use of insecticides are cited as possible causes. The biology and nature of damage inflicted by the white hopper is descibed. In areas where populations of the pest were found to be very high, a substantial amount of damage to young shoots, flowers, cherelles and mature pods can occur. Damage to young shoots is related to the egg -laying habit of the pest, whereas the continuous feeding of both C. falcata adults and nymphs can lead to flower damage and cherelle fall. Bionomics of the white hopper are linked to weather cycles and natural control. As appreciable numbers of the pest declined on their own, a policy of non-intervention was pursued. It was left to Nature to regulate existing pest populations the pre-outbreak levels.
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
1983
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| Subjects: | THEOBROMA CACAO, COLOBESTHES FALCATA, INSECTOS DEPREDADORES DE LAS HOJAS, CICLO VITAL, ENEMIGOS NATURALES, CONTROL DE INSECTOS, SABAH, |
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