THE BEHAVIOR OF THE BEETLE Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) IN FLOWER OF OIL PALM (Elaeis guineensis Jacq)

• Main Author: (NIM: 20614034), ATIAH
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/21305
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Oil palm is a monoecious plant (monocious) which its process of pollination requires the pollinator agent, the beetles Elaeidobius kamerunicus. The existence of E. kamerunicus can significantly increase the value of fruit set in oil palm bunches. This pollinating insects can reach the inside of the female flower bunches. This study aimed to describe and analyze the behavior of beetles E.kamerunicu in pollination process of oil palm flowers. This study was conducted on oil palm aged 7 years old in the PTPN VIII at Sukamaju village, Sukabumi, West Java. Observation of beetle behavior phases directly done in the field during the active period of beetles while visited the female flowers and male flowers blooming. Based on observation the results showed that on female inflorescences dominant behavior were exploring inside (38%) and the crossing the stigma (37%). Moreover both behaviors were also included in the combination of flower handling behaviors which most often fulfilled by E.kamerunicus on female inflorencences as much as 21%. Based on this research results, it can be concluded that the behaviors which can elevate the chances of E.kamerunicus pollination success related to the pollen spread on female inflorescences are landing (arrive to spikelet or to flower), crossing the stigma (pass the receptive area), jumping (move among spikelet), exploring (explore the flower inside), and grooming (self-cleaning). <br />