Entomology support mission report, Papua New Guinea, Stewart Research Station, Madang. Coconut activities (Mission undertaken from 16 to 28 March 2003)

Ollivier Laurence. 2003. Entomology support mission report, Papua New Guinea, Stewart Research Station, Madang. Coconut activities (Mission undertaken from 16 to 28 March 2003). Montpellier : CIRAD-CP, 43 p. N° de rapport : CP_SIC 1667

Résumé : The main purpose of the mission to the Stewart Research Station (PNG CCRI) was to strengthen our scientific support to the entomology section and propose launching and developing new activities, following the worrying phytosanitary problems that have arisen since 1999 and for which we were called in by our partner, CCRI. Synechodes papuana, which was identified in 2002, is an insect that bores into the spikelets and rachises of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L) inflorescences. This insect, which had gone completely unnoticed until then and seemed to be nonexistent, has been affecting coconut palm yields for almost four years in Madang province. Our role consisted in familiarizing ourselves with ongoing trials seeking to reduce damage in the field, and in proposing new observations with a view to developing a method to trap adults in the field. In order to achieve this last aim, we trained an on-site team in work methods applicable in the field and in the laboratory to learn about chemical communication: estimation of the time of day when Synechodes papuana is active, flying height, observation of the insect's reproductive biology, mating period, period of activity and collection of volatile compounds using sophisticated equipment in close collaboration with the INRA phytopharmacy and chemical mediators unit in Versailles. A training programme was proposed at that laboratory in France for Mrs K. Samai, to master Synechodes papuana pheromone sampling techniques, in order to identify it and test the attraction of identified products in the field using traps. Once the major compounds of the pheromone had been identified, it was possible to prepare dispensers and propose the first field trapping trials. Technical assistance is also proposed to identify isolated parasitoid insects brought back to the CIRAD faunistics laboratory in Montpellier.

Auteurs et affiliations

• Ollivier Laurence, CIRAD-CP-COCOTIER (FRA) ORCID: 0000-0003-4838-8318

Source : Cirad - Agritrop (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/518561/)

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