Population of oil palm pollinator insect (Elaeidobius kamerunicus faust.) at PTP Nusantara VIII Cisalak Baru, Rangkasbitung-Banten

Abstract

The role of Elaeidobius kamerunicus in oil palm plantations in recent times is questioned related to the decline in oil palm productivity. The research aim is to study the E. kamerunicus beetle population and the factors that influence it. The study was carried out in the oil palm plantation PTP Nusantara VIII Cisalak Baru, Rangkasbitung-Banten. The beetle population were calculated on 3 spikelets at the base, middle, and end of an anthesis flower bunch of oil palm plant samples aged 13 and 5 years using purposive sampling method. Observation were carried out 3 times in May, September and November 2015. Morphological observation of beetle E.Kamerunicus was carried out in Balittro laboratory. The results showed that the population of E. kamerunicus in the study area was quite abundant and fluctuated. The average population of E. kamerunicus in oil palm plantation in May, September and November, are 15.168, 6.139, and 37.575 insect/ha in plantations aged 13 years, and 11.205, 7.534, and 49.209 insect / ha in oil palm plantation aged 5 years with the higest population occur in November. The fluctuation seem influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall, the present of rats as natural enemy, and the number of spikelet.

Factors Affecting Pollination and Pollinators in Oil Palm Plantations: A Review with an Emphasis on the Elaeidobius kamerunicus Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…E. kamerunicus spent most of its life cycle in the male inflorescences of oil palms [ 17 , 27 , 39 ]. Its reproduction rate is strongly associated with the availability of male inflorescences apart from feeding on the anther filaments [ 39 , 40 ]. Being a holometabolous insect, this weevil species develops through different stages: egg, larva, pupa, and imago [ 41 , 42 ].…”

“…Additionally, T. hawaiiensis is better adapted to the dry season and maintains optimal pollination services during this time [ 34 ]. While climatic factors impact pollination activity, E. kamerunicus is less affected compared to other insect pollinators, allowing it to maintain pollination services even during the wet season [ 27 , 40 ].…”

“…The spatial organization of a landscape greatly impacts the survival and dispersal ability of most pollinator species, as resource availabilities are affected by spatial establishment and functional connectivity [ 112 , 113 ]. The spatial pattern of species, including insect pollinators, is influenced by biotic interactions such as competition, predation, and parasitism [ 10 , 12 , 40 , 114 ]. The efficiency of animal-mediated pollination services is significantly impacted by biotic interactions, such as competition between pollinators [ 80 , 115 ].…”

“…The efficiency of animal-mediated pollination services is significantly impacted by biotic interactions, such as competition between pollinators [ 80 , 115 ]. For instance, E. kamerunicus is also influenced by these biotic interactions, including predatory threats and parasitism [ 12 , 40 ].…”

Development of Nuclear DNA Markers for Applications in Genetic Diversity Study of Oil Palm-Pollinating Weevil Populations

“…In addition, host-specificity testing found that the species was unable to complete its life cycle on any plant species in the country other than the oil palm; thus, it was deemed safe to be introduced [ 8 ]. Elaeidobius kamerunicus is holometabolous, completing its development on post anthesis oil palm male inflorescence [ 9 , 10 ]. Adult female oviposit eggs on the male oil palm inflorescence, and the larva emerge and undergo perfect metamorphosis.…”