Coconut Leafroller pg.3
MANAGEMENT
Biological Control — Parasites
Parasites present in Hawaii are the egg parasite, Trichogramma minutum Riley; the larval parasites: Achaetoneura archippivora (Williston), Bracon omiodivorum (Terry), Casinaria infesta (Cresson), Chaetogaedia monticola (Bigot), Horogenes blackburni (Cameron), and the pupal parasites: Brachymeria obscurata (Smith), Coccygomimus punicipes (Cresson) and Echthromorph fuscator (Fabricius) (Swezey, 1954; Bess, 1974)). These parasites are very effective and are credited with the low incidence of coconut leafroller injury. T. flavoorbitalis is probably the most effective parasite (Bess, 1974). Parasites are hampered by strong winds. Therefore, their control is less effective in windswept areas and best in protected areas (Bess, 1974).
Biological Control — Predators
This pest is also attacked by predators. Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius), the big headed ant, eats the eggs and preys upon the larvae. Coconut leafroller caterpillars are also eaten by Odynerus nigripennis (Holmgren) and Polistes species (Zimmerman, 1958).
CHEMICAL CONTROL
Chemical control of this pest is usually not needed because of the effectiveness of the parasites.
REFERENCES
Bess, H. A. 1974. Hedylepta blackburni (Butler), A Perennial Pest of Coconut on Wind-swept Sites in Hawaii. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 21(3): 343-353.
Butler, A. G. 1877. List of Heterocerous Lepidoptera Recently Collected by the Rev. T. Blackburni in the Hawaiian Islands. Ent. Mon. Mag. 14: 47-50.
Swezey, O. H. 1952. Insect Fauna of a Coconut Tree. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 14(3): 377-378.
Swezey, O. H. 1954. Forest Entomology in Hawaii. Special Publication 44. Bernice P. Bishop Museum. 266 pages.
Zimmerman, E. C. 1958. Insects of Hawaii Volume 8 Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu. 456 pages.
