Conducted by VSU
, Started on 2025 -
Completed on 2026
Ongoing
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Coconut is a major agricultural product in the Philippines, particularly in Eastern Visayas, contributing significantly to
the region's economy. The increasing demand for coconut products has spurred efforts to boost production, with
hybrid varieties at the forefront due to their higher yield potential. However, like other coconut varieties, hybrids are
susceptible to pest attacks, and their vulnerability varies.
To optimize coconut production, an ongoing research under the Coconut Hybridization Program, maps out
infestations and determines coconut varieties most susceptible to Palm weevil (Rhynchophorus spp.) attack and
aims to develop effective and sustainable control strategies using biological and biorational control agents.
Our current findings show that APW infestation is under-reported in several provinces. To date, multiple hot spot
areas have been identified including southern Leyte, Northern Samar, Leyte, and Masbate. Meanwhile, laboratory
assays show that some biocontrol and biorational agents are promising against APW. However, several polymorphs
consisting of 26 spotted and 8 dotted morphotypes of palm weevils were collected. It is yet to be clarified if these
populations belong to one species or are invasive and were introduced to the country via importation of Palms.
During surveillance, we have also detected Coconut Spike Moth (Tirathaba rufivena) infestations in both parental
and hybrid coconuts. This emerging pest can cause up to 70% damage in coconut inflorescence if left unattended. In
order to design an effective pest management strategy, it is important to know the biological and ecological
parameters of the target pest.
This study, therefore, aims to determine the biology and some ecological characteristics of APW and Tirathaba that
can be used as a basis for better understanding of the pest’s damage potential and for designing better pest
management strategies.