Life stages, source of infestation and control of rhinoceros beetle oryctes rhinoceros (linn) (coleoptera: scarabaeidae) in a newly replanted oil palm plantation
Loading...
Date
2008-12
Authors
Wan Mamat, Wan Zaki Bin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The life stage of Oryctes rhinoceros was investigated in empty fruit bunches
(EFBs) in a newly replanted area in FELDA Lepar Utara 05 Plantation, Bandar
Jengka, Pahang. Three stages instar larvae (instar 1-3), prepupa and pupa were
found in empty fruit bunches. However no- egg was found during the study period.
The larvae and pupae were continuously encountered in the EFB during 20 weeks
of study.
Oryctes rhinoceros synthetic pheromone, ethyl 4-methyloctanoate traps
were used to detect the source of beetle coming into a 24 ha newly replanted oil
palm plantation for 24 weeks. Weekly numbers of beetles collected in the traps
during the study period were significantly different (p = 0.000). The abundance of
male and female beetles varied significantly (p = 0.000). More beetles were caught
from the fringe traps than those in the center fields (p = 0.000). In general the fringe
(p = 0.000) and centre (p = 0.000) traps were significantly more attractive to females
than males.
The efficacy of a new insecticide, Bulldock® 025 EC (a.i: 2.9% w/w betacyfluthrin)
was evaluated in the plantation for a period of 24 weeks. Three doses of
BulldOck® 025 EC at 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 Uha were applied at intervals of 7 and 14
days. Cypermethrin and Regent 3G were used for comparison. Cypermethrin (0.05
Uha) was sprayed at 14 days intervals and Regent 3G was applied at 30gm/palm at
14 days intervals. Another treatment using Regent 3G (30gm/palm) alternating with
Bulldock® 025 EC (0.4 Uha) was applied at 14 days intervals. Twenty palms were
treated with each insecticide in a completely randomized block design (CRBD)
experiment and were replicated 4 times. The mean number of damaged palms
treated with Bulldock® 025 EC (0.4 Uha) at 7 days and 14 days were 0.03/palm and
0.18/palm respectively, treated with Bulldock® 025 EC (0.5 Uha) were 0.18/palm
and 0.33/palm respectively and treated with Bulldock® 025 EC (0.6 Uha) were
0.09/palm and 0.13/palm respectively. For Cypermethrin, Regent 3G and Regent 3G
alternating with Bulldock® 025 EC, the mean damage for treatment at 14 day
intervals were 0.54/palm, 0.78/palm, and 0.29/palm respectively. Weekly treatments
of palms with Bulldock® 025 EC at 0.4 and 0.6 Uha and with 0.6 Uha at 2 week
intervals showed promising results in controlling 0. rhinoceros.
Gunny sacks were used as a mean to control rhinoceros beetle in a 1.5 ha
subplot containing 180 oil palm trees. Ninety palms were selected randomly and
wrapped with gunny sacks at their bases, while 90 others were left unwrapped.
More damages occurred on unwrapped palms (p<0.05) compared to those wrapped
(p<0.05). Less damage was observed in fronds and palm bases of wrapped palms
(p<0.05). In general both treated (p< 0.05) and untreated (p< 0.05) palm bases were
more preferred by the beetles compared to the fronds. The result showed the
effectiveness of gunnies in preventing 0. rhinoceros attack in newly replanted oil
palms.
Description
Keywords
Rhinoceros beetle oryctes rhinoceros (linn) , (Coleoptera: scarabaeidae) , Newly replanted oil palm plantation