A Proposed Framework for the Use of Biological Control Agents for a Cacao Pest

Authors

  • Anthony Ian G. Pag-ong Animal Research Laboratory, Biological Sciences Department, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University
  • Dulce Marie P. Nisperos Animal Research Laboratory, Biological Sciences Department, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University

Keywords:

ants, biological control, Helopeltis bakeri Poppius, Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius, research framework, Theobroma cacao L

Abstract

An industry study on cacao considers the Philippines as a minor player in the global cacao trade and is not properly positioned to take advantage of the surge in demand. Domestic production dived in the 1990s despite pump-priming initiatives. It should also be noted that farmer awareness of the economic potential of cacao is very low, with very few engaged in cultivation due to various difficulties, among these problems mainly considered are the high costs of insecticides and pesticides and the prevalence of pests. This paper provides a framework by which a biological control agent for the cacao pest could be designed so that farmers may eventually lessen their dependence on expensive and chemically based pesticides and insecticides and rely on the natural relationships of predator and prey available in nature. Although many studies suggest that the Asian Weaver Ant Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius is a predator of arthropods, among them the mirid bug and cacao pest Helopeltis bakeri Poppius, this assertion needs to be further supported by substantial evidence that clearly shows that such ant has available predatory properties against this specific prey. This procedure is very important especially if the farmer’s welfare is hinged on the idea of using biological control. It should then be proposed that a systematic and logical implementation of the demonstration of O. smaragdina’s properties as a possible biological control agent for the cacao pest H. bakeri be established.

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Published

2023-03-18

How to Cite

Anthony Ian G. Pag-ong, & Dulce Marie P. Nisperos. (2023). A Proposed Framework for the Use of Biological Control Agents for a Cacao Pest. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR), 67(2), 193–200. Retrieved from https://gssrr.org/index.php/JournalOfBasicAndApplied/article/view/15460

Issue

Vol. 67 No. 2 (2023)

Section

Articles

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