Who love the beetle and hardwood? anthropogenic influence and entomogenesis in Heritiera sylvatica Vidal (Sterculiaceae)
Issue Date
10-2009
Abstract
This exploratory study tells the reconstructed life history of Macrophysis luzona (Fabricius, 1775), along horned beetle associated with an endangered hardwood species - the dungon (Heritiera sylvatica Vidal, Sterculiaceae). A mature dungon tree is killed by human-induced fire in anticipation of the natural tendency of the "tarang-e" or mother beetle to lay her eggs along the bark of flame-severed stand within 6 months. The developing larvae penetrate into the inner phloem and consume the xylary fibers until they reach the pupal stage. Copious amounts of sawdust are also produced and left behind by the larva, consequently clogging the tunnel entrance thus providing protection against predating ants. Four years later the snag is felled. The tunnel stumps and trunks with numerous beetle larvae inside known as "ook" are opened to collect the larvae manually. About 10 tp 20 kilograms of ook can be collected from each tree at Php500 / kilo - thus, a dungon tree is worth Php 5,000 - 10,000 in terms of ook harvest. Ook is a favorite delicacy specially during drinking spree of folks in Southern Batangas. Evidence of population decline of dungon trees was assessed from 1950s up to the present as mainly due to ook culture and domestic lumbering.
Source or Periodical Title
Philippine Entomologist
ISSN
0048-3753
Volume
23
Issue
2
Page
180
Document Type
Article
Frequency
semi-annually
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Briones, Rommel U. and Caringal, A. M., "Who love the beetle and hardwood? anthropogenic influence and entomogenesis in Heritiera sylvatica Vidal (Sterculiaceae)" (2009). Journal Article. 5389.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/journal-articles/5389
En – AGROVOC descriptors
COLEOPTERA; INSECTA; TREES; HARDWOOD; LIFE CYCLE; ANTHROPOGENIC FACTORS