Variation of sex-ratio and identification of natural enemies of Cœlaenomenodera minuta uhmann, the main pest of Elaeis guineensis Jacq. in the South-west region of Cameroon

Mondjeli Constantin, Ntsomboh-

Abstract

The optimal production of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is usually limited by pests and diseases. Severe infestations by the leaflet miner (Coelaenomenodera minuta) of this crop can cause about 50% yield loss. Chemical treatment of young and adult palms against the pest is not totally satisfactory, hence the need to develop alternative control methods. This study was carried out on young and mature palms in the perspective of developing integrated control against this pest. Fisher blocks were applied as experimental design and monitoring was done on palm crowns subdivided into 3 levels. The results show that the sex ratio of C. minuta is one female to 0.6 male (1:0.6). The study also revealed that natural enemies or predators of C. minuta belong to four genera of the order Araneae and 6 genera of the order Hymenoptera. These results can be exploited in the development of control measures against the pest.