Biotechnology contributing to integrated pest management: The example of two major coconut pests, oryctes rhinoceros and brontispa longissima

Abstract

Pests and diseases are major limiting factors in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) production. Pests ranging from insects to mites and diseases from fungi to phytoplasma all negatively affect the palm, from the seedling to the field production stage. By presenting examples of two major pests, the coconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros L.) and the coconut hispid beetle (Brontispa longissima Gestro), this chapter illustrates how various biotechnologies have helped in the development of an efficient integrated pest management program, in which the available control approaches are combined to provide an effective management system. Biotechnological tools to help control these major production constraints of coconut are already available, but not always efficacious in reducing damage economically. Hence, further innovations in pest and disease management are required to better suppress the build-up of pest and disease populations in the field.