Relationship between the Number Of Oecophylla smaragdina Fab. ant nests and the Intensity of Prays endocarpa Meyrick Attacks on Pamelo Citrus (Citrus maxima Merr)

Abstract

This research on the relationship between the number of O. smaragdina nests and the intensity of P. endocarpa attacks has been conducted at the Pamelo citrus plantation of Gelengge in Pangkep Regency. The observation sample trees were those which had the O. smaragdina nests for three weeks in the Pamelo citrus trees. The sample trees were grouped into four categories namely: A) 1-2 nests per tree, B) 3-4 nests per tree, C) 5-6 nests per tree, and D) without nests (control). The observed parameters were the attack intensity of P. endocarpa on fruits on trees and on fallen fruits found under Pamelo citrus trees. The observation of the attack intensity was carried out after the Pamelo citrus fruits reached six weeks old, or after the fruits reached 50 mm-60 mm in size. The results showed the intensity of P. endocarpa attack on the fruits in the lowest tree was 36% in the trees with about 5-6 O. smaragdina nests, and the highest in the trees without nests was 66%. The attack intensity on the lowest falling fruit was 41.5% on the trees with 5-6 nests per tree, and the highest was 60.3% the in trees without the O. smaragdina nests. The regression analysis showed a relationship between the number of O. smaragdina nests with the attack intensity with the regression coefficients, respectively were r = 0.94 and r = 0.98.