Field testing updates on the control of the cacao mirid bug, Heliopeltis bakeri Poppius

• Main Authors: Dela Cruz, Maria Criselda V., Tavera, Mary Angelique A., Amalin, Divina M., Janairo, Jose Isagani B.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2021
• Subjects: Cacao—Diseases and pests; Helopeltis—Control; Kairomones; Semiochemicals; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/11132
• Institution: De La Salle University

Cocoa from the economic crop Theobroma cacao L. was recognized in different industries for its health benefits. Supply deficit foreseen as the demand increases, where pest infestations pose great impact to hinder the increase in production. Cacao mirid bug (Helopeltis bakeri Poppius) is one of the emerging pests of cacao, causing lesions that renders cacao useless and unmarketable. Currently, there is little to no information regarding the biology of H. bakeri in the Philippines and studies are still underway. The use of semiochemicals is a program of IPM that confuse, attract, and catch pests in a biologically based way. In this study, potential kairomone and pheromone compounds were tested for the control of H. bakeri. Using wind tunnel behavioral bioassay, four potential trap designs: pyramid trap (PT); rectangular trap (RT); green sticky board (GSB) and bottle trap (BT), were tested using the compound β-caryophyllene as potential kairomone. Results showed that RT and GSB has the highest H. bakeri catch to 50% and 46.67%, respectively. Statistical analysis showed RT (p