METISA PLANA: DANGEROUS PEST OF OIL PALM AND ITS MITIGATION BY TRAPPING OF MALE MOTHS USING QUAD PHEROMONE TRAPS

Abstract

Good management in oil palm plantations can certainly produce high yields. An attack of pests such as bagworms will cause a decrease in the yield. The phenomenon of pest attacks on oil palm plantings has been given special attention by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). The MPOB has established a systematic census system and integrated control method of bagworm through Quad pheromone traps. The objective of this study is to explore the procedures for using and installing Quad pheromone traps in the field. In addition to being environmentally friendly and easy to use by oil palm growers, this method is seen to be cheaper and effective in controlling attack by bagworms for a long period of time. Other than that, technological knowledge in dealing with the issue of oil palm pest attacks, especially the bagworm, needs to be practiced by all parties so that it does not affect the income of smallholders. The use of this technology can certainly help smallholders overcome difficulties if there is a drop in the price of palm oil. Keywords: Bagworm, integrated pest management, independent smallholders, bagworm census, Quad pheromone traps.