PROTOCOL FOR WILD COCOA POD BORER (CONOPOMORPHA CRAMERELLA SNELLEN) COLLECTION METHOD: A STEP TOWARDS EFFICIENT INSECT MASS REARING FOR STERILE INSECT TECHNIQUE
Authors: Anisah Binti Savantil, Mavis Peter Jaus, Elviah Mitzo, Jenrry Sompokon, Norasekin Tamchek, Lea Johnsiul
Journal Issue: Malaysian Cocoa Journal, Volume 15(1)/2023
Keywords: cocoa pod borer, insect collection method, cocoa, mass rearing system, CPB.
Published On: 27/10/2023
Abstract
The cocoa pod borer (CPB), Conopomorpha cramerella, is a major insect pest of cocoa in Southeast Asian countries, causing significant yield losses and economic damage. Traditional control measures have shown limited success, prompting the exploration of alternative biological control methods such as the sterile insect technique (SIT). However, successful implementation of SIT requires an efficient insect collection method for laboratory mass rearing. This study presents a detailed protocol for CPB insect collection, adapted from previous methods, to support the development of an artificial diet for mass rearing at the Cocoa Biotechnology Research Centre (CBRC) in Malaysia. The protocol involves the active collection of infested cocoa pods from the field and subsequent incubation to obtain CPB pupae. The transformed pupae resulting adults can be used for various research purposes. The report demonstrated the efficacy of the collection method, ensuring a continuous supply of CPB for research activities with the mean percentage of larval survival to pupation of 100 %. The collected insects exhibited a 55.63% ± 23.76 emergence rate, yielding a consistent supply of healthy adults with a balanced sex ratio. The use of dry cocoa leaves as pupation substrate is highlighted as cost-effective and suitable for larval pupation. These findings contribute to sustainable cocoa pod borer research, aiding sterile insect technique investigations and mass-rearing systems. The method’s potential extends to diverse studies on CPB and provides valuable insights for researchers studying CPB biology, pesticide effects, and cost-effective mass rearing systems, contributing to the development of sustainable pest control strategies in cocoa farming.