Plant extract as kairomone attractant to cocoa pod borer, Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in cocoa farm

Abstract

In Southeast Asian countries, the cocoa pod borer (Conopomorpha cramerella) is a significant pest that can cause damage to cocoa production. A potential method for controlling this pest is to use kairomone attractants made from plant extracts. This study aimed to determine the attractiveness of Carrot Leaf Extract (ElCar) and Coffee Leaf Extract (ElCoff) to C. cramerella. Approximately one hectare of cocoa plants was used in the experiment, and observations were made with a three-day interval for two months. The findings demonstrated that the use of plant extracts as kairomone attractants was effective for attracting adult females. No adult male populations were captured during the period of observation. 116 female adults were captured in ElCar, 25 at 5% concentration, 27 at 10% concentration, and 64 at 15% concentration. 100 adult females were captured in ElCoff: 16 at 5% concentration, 51 at 10% concentration, and 33 at 15% concentration. Carrot extract at a concentration of 15% contained the highest percentage of attractant, putting it in the very high attractant category (86%). The percentage of high attractant in coffee extract was found to be 10%, which was in the very high category (80%).