Incidence of insect pests associated with nightblooming cactus, Hylocereus undatus Britton and Rose, in Indang, Cavite, Philippines

Issue Date

10-2008

Abstract

A study was conducted to: a) document the insect pests associated with the nightblooming cactus or dragon fruit. b) monitor the population buildup of insect pests associated with dragon fruit, and c) characterize the damage inflicted by insect pests. Sample plants were selected from established commercial and small scale farms in Indang, Cavite. Ten plants form four corners and middle portion of the area were tagged for monitoring purposes. Insect pests that attacked night blooming cactus were monitored at bi-weekly interval. Actual populations of insects on sample plants were recorded. Leaf-cutting, sucking and boring insects attached to the plant were counted individually. Flying insects were collected using insect net while fruit flies were collected using a commercial attractant. Relative infestations of scale insects and mealybugs were assessed using damage index. Insect pests were identified to the nearest taxa possible in the laboratory using available taxonomic keys. Ten insect pests were identified to be associated with the night blooming cactus, namely: Oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera), unidentified dinidorid bug, green scale Coccus viridis, mealybug Ferrisia virgata, aphid Toxoptera sp. (Hemiptera), unidentified snout beetle (Coleoptera), orange dog butterfly Papilio demoleus libanius Fruchstorfer, Tussock moth Orgyia australis Postica, bagworm Eumeta fuscescens (Lepidoptera) and unidentified red ants (Hymenoptera). Most of the insect pests were abundantly present on night blooming cactus from June to November with peak of abundance during the months of August and September. Oriental fruit fly and dinidorid bugs were identified to be the most damaging to the fruits, accounting for 35% to 45% damage. On the other hand, ants were noted to cause severe damage to the leaves and stems.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

22

Issue

2

Page

220

Document Type

Article

Frequency

quarterly

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

BACTROCERA DORSALIS; INSECTA; PEST INSECTS; HYLOCEREUS UNDATUS; DRAGON FRUITS; PHILIPPINES

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