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Level of Pest Infestation on Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Variety BL-50 in Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatera Province, Indonesia Zahlul Ikhsan; Muhammad Al-Ikhlas; Yaherwandi; Hasmiandy Hamid; Aulia Oktavia; Dandy Ahamefula Osibe
Andalasian International Journal of Entomology Vol. 2 No. 1 (2024)
Publisher : Universitas Andalas

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.25077/aijent.2.1.38-47.2024

Abstract

West Sumatra Province is one of the cocoa production centers in Indonesia. Cocoa farmers in the Lima Puluh Kota District in West Sumatera Province had successfully developed a superior clone of cocoa plants resulting from participatory selection, which was later coded BL-50. The main pests that attack cocoa plants are the urgent problem in cocoa cultivation, resulting in decreased productivity. This study aims to determine the level of significant pest attacks on cocoa varieties BL-50 in Tanah Datar Regency. This research is in the form of a survey with a purposive sampling method. Sampling is carried out systematically diagonally in the field. The highest attack rate of Cocoa Fruit Borer in Tanah Datar Regency is in Rambatan District, with the percentage of affected plants, the percentage of infested fruits, and the highest attack intensity, respectively 51,.25%; 31.58% and 21.10%, the lowest were in Lintau Buo Utara District with 30.93%; 20.70% and 13.96%. The highest attack rate of cocoa fruit-sucking ladybugs in the BL-50 variety is in Rambatan District, 66.09%, 45.07%, and 30.45%. At the same time, the lowest is in the Lintau Buo Utara District, with a percentage value of 41.56%, 27.66%, and 18.30%. Excellent and regular land sanitation activities have played a role in minimizing the level of pest attacks in Lintau Buo Utara.
Population Abundance and Infestation Intensity of Helopeltis theivora (Hemiptera: Miridae) in Cocoa Plantations of Lima Puluh Kota Regency, Indonesia Ikhsan, Zahlul; Ade Rizki Bustiar; Yaherwandi
Andalasian International Journal of Entomology Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026)
Publisher : Universitas Andalas

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.25077/aijent.4.1.77-86.2026

Abstract

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is a key tropical commodity whose productivity is significantly constrained by insect pests, particularly mirid bugs such as Helopeltis theivora. This study aimed to quantify the population abundance and infestation intensity of H. theivora and to analyze their association with agroecosystem management practices in cocoa plantations of Lima Puluh Kota Regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Field surveys were conducted across six villages using purposive site selection followed by random sampling of plants. Pest populations were assessed through chemical knockdown and manual collection, while infestation levels were determined using standard percentage and intensity indices. A total of 206 individuals were recorded, with nymphs (63.6%) dominating the population structure. Pest abundance ranged from 0.05 to 0.35 individuals per stem. Infestation levels varied significantly across locations, with the highest infestation percentage (51.76%) and intensity (41.13%) observed in poorly managed plantations, while the lowest values (35.89% and 31.88%) occurred in well-maintained systems. Variations in pest dynamics were strongly associated with differences in sanitation, pruning, and pesticide application. The findings highlight the critical role of agroecological management and natural enemy conservation in regulating H. theivora populations. This study provides an empirical basis for developing location-specific integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to enhance cocoa productivity in tropical agroecosystems.