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Oil Palm Pest

The oil palm in Malaysia remains prone to threats by a variety of several key insect pests such as bagworm, nettle caterpillar, rhinoceros beetle, termite, bunch moth and rats.

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Insect Pest

Bagworm / Nettle Caterpillar

Ecology

Bagworms

The complete life cycle of Metisa plana is approximately three months, whereas the life cycles of Pteroma pendula and Mahasena corbetti are about 40 days and four months, respectively.

Pteroma pendula
Metisa plana
Mahasena corbetti

Nettle Caterpillars

The nettle caterpillar, Darna spp. can grow up to 1-2 cm long and Setora nitens can grow up to 3-4 cm long. The adults are small, hairy moths and both male and female are winged. Darna spp. does not begin feeding until the second instar. Females have a high fecundity potential, laying an average of 479 eggs, with 55% of these hatching. The adults live for about 10 or 11 days.

Darna trima (photo by Ho CT)
Setora nitens
Darna diducta (photo by Ho CT)
Setothosea asigna (photo by Ho CT)

Causal

Extensive use of broad spectrum synthetic insecticide such as cypermethrin, no census and proper treatment.


Symptoms

Bagworms

Leaves defoliation of approximately 10-13% due to bagworm attack might cause about 33-40% yield loss.

Nettle Caterpillars

The damage cause by nettle caterpillar is much serious than bagworm due to their voracious feeding habit which can eventually skeletonise the whole frond.


Control

Biological control

Bagworms

Biological control is a component of integrated pest management (IPM) in bagworm control. The integrated biological control consists of natural enemies, beneficial plants, and microbes-based biopesticide.

Nettle Caterpillars

Numerous natural enemies can control this pest. Biopesticides such as Cordyceps as the fungal pathogen can also be used for control. The infected pupae produce fruiting bodies on their cocoons.

Chemical control

Bagworms

Trunk injection using methamidophos, monocrotophos or acephate are permissible and need approval from the Department of Agriculture (DOA). Any usage and application of broad-spectrum contact chemical pesticides such as cypermethrin need to be minimised to avoid adverse effect to beneficial insects.

Nettle Caterpillars

Nettle caterpillars can be controlled with chemicals such as monocrotophos, methamidophos, cypermethrin and acephate. Monocrotophos applied via trunk injection and effectively controlled Setora and Setothosea.

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Oil palm is the major commodity crop for Malaysia. It is important to ensure its sustainability by improving yield as well as protecting the crop from pest and diseases.

The implementation of The Malaysian Oil Palm Industry Biosecurity Plan will be our first step in protecting and preventing invasive pests, diseases or weeds from entering our country, thus securing the future of the oil palm industry in Malaysia.

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