Strategus aloeus (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE) DAMAGE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH RAINFALL AND HYBRID OIL PALM AGE IN COLOMBIA

Abstract

The adults of Strategus aloeus (L.) feed on the bulb and cause damage to young oil palm that can lead to lesions, and ultimately, to rotting. The aim of this study was to determine the S. aloeus damage in young hybrid oil palms, to propose an alternative method for its monitoring and control. Initially, destructive samplings of the palms were made at 8, 10, 12 and 15 days after insect attack. Additionally, weekly insect attack monitoring and rainfall register were made. About 44.4% of the oil palms were damaged after eight days of the adult's infestation. During the first year of the crop's establishment, there was a positive correlation between the number of galleries and rainfall. During the second and third year, there was a negative correlation between the number of galleries and oil palm age (rho=-0.93; p<0.0001; n=105). Our study found that the damage caused by S. aloeus in hybrid cultivars can be observed eight days after the adult ' s arrival. The monitoring and control of S. aloeus in hybrid cultivars should be performed on a weekly basis from establishment to the first three and a half years of the crop.