and Integrated Pest Management - part - usaid

182 Iq-SI'I II){ N1ANA(;1.NVI' ANI)1PM1IN SOU'IBllASI' ASIA
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) will, therefore, be beneficial in dealing
with the major insect problems of the coconut palms. For this paper, I have
chosen three examples from nearly twenty years of cooperative research in
Southeast Asia and tile Pacific:
" the coconut palm rhinoceros beetle Oryctes rhinoceros
" rodents (Ratus rattus, Rall "sexulans, etc.)
" the coconut hispine beetle Bronlispalongissima
TlE RHINOCEROS BIE lLE
The coconut palm rhinoceros beetle 0. rhinoceros(L) is one of the most
serious insect pests of the coconut paln. The damage is done only by the adult
beetles, which fly to the central crown of the palm and bore into the growing
spear leaf cluster. The larvae develop in moist, decomposing vegetative
materials. Rotting coconut trunks and stumps are the preferred breeding sites.
The extent of damage recorded ranges from the total loss of young palms to all
degrees of yield reduction Ip to 100% (Peterson 1977, FAO 1978). A reduction
in the leaf area of 10%, 20%, or 30% would reduce nut production by 19%,
35%, or 51%, respectively (Zelazny 1979).
The Integrated Pest Control Approach
SANITATION PROGRAMS They should be regularly performed in order to
remove breeding sites within and around coconut plantations. Legislation should
provide the legal basis for these activities. The agricultural extension services
should supervise sanitation and provide instructions to farmers.
BACULOVIRUS OF ORYCTES This Baculovirus, causing the so-called
Malaya disease, plays a central role in integrated Orycies control and is persistent
in beetle populations. Discovered by Huger (1966) in Malaysia in 1963, it was
first artificially introduced into uninfected rhinoceros beetle populations in
Western Samoa in 1967 (luger 1969, Marschall 1970). Surprisingly, the virus,
which is absolutely safe to human beings, animals and plants, spreads
throughout Orycies populations in the major paln areas. Introduction of the
Baculovirus into other South Pacific countries also resulted in efficient control
of Oryctes populations and concomitant striking reductions in palm damage.
USE OF THE FUNGUS AIETARIIZIUM ANISOPLIAE The green,
iuscardine ftungus Melarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. was described as
early as 1913 as a possible control agent against rhinoceros beetles (Friedrich
1913). lowever, only recent efforts have resulted in the development of quite
effective control methods, especially against larval stages (Latch & Falloon
1976, Peterson 1977, Beichle 1980). Today virulent Metarhizium strains are an
important part of integrated control programs against 0. rhinoceros. The fungus
can be cultivated on organic carriers, e.g., bran, brewer's grain, corn/maize, oats,
rice etc. and incorporated into moist, larval habitats either naturally or
artificially. The extent of effectiveness depends principally on moisture