Observations on Pantorhytes biplagiatus (Chevr.) a stem borer of cacao in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate
The weevil Pantorhytes biplagiatus is a serious threat to cacao production in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. Work on the control of the pest with insecticides has not yet produced a simple and economic method. Hand picking of larvae and adults, besides being tedious and costly in terms of labour, does not give an adequate control in badly infested farms or in new planting near infested farms. The possibility of using Oecophylla ants for biological control is promising. Live Pantorhytes larvae are less likely to be found in trees foraged by Oecophylla ants than in trees from which the ant is absent. The introduction of ants to cocoa farms has proved difficult and more study is needed of the factors influencing their colonisation of cocoa. Two cacao types, Amelonado and the progeny of Na32, appear to be less susceptible to damage by Pantorhytes larvae than is Trinitario. It is possible that such factors as bark texture and wood hardness may be affecting susceptibility to damage by the weevil. Further investigation of these factors may lead to criteria for the selection of tolerant or resistant types
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
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St. Augustine (Trinidad y Tobago)
1972
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| Subjects: | THEOBROMA CACAO, PANTORHYTES BIPLAGIATUS, COLEOPTERA, INSECTOS DAÑINOS DEL TALLO, INFESTACION, CONTROL QUIMICO, INSECTICIDAS, CONTROL BIOLOGICO, ISLAS SALOMON, |
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| Summary: | The weevil Pantorhytes biplagiatus is a serious threat to cacao production in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. Work on the control of the pest with insecticides has not yet produced a simple and economic method. Hand picking of larvae and adults, besides being tedious and costly in terms of labour, does not give an adequate control in badly infested farms or in new planting near infested farms. The possibility of using Oecophylla ants for biological control is promising. Live Pantorhytes larvae are less likely to be found in trees foraged by Oecophylla ants than in trees from which the ant is absent. The introduction of ants to cocoa farms has proved difficult and more study is needed of the factors influencing their colonisation of cocoa. Two cacao types, Amelonado and the progeny of Na32, appear to be less susceptible to damage by Pantorhytes larvae than is Trinitario. It is possible that such factors as bark texture and wood hardness may be affecting susceptibility to damage by the weevil. Further investigation of these factors may lead to criteria for the selection of tolerant or resistant types |
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