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Predatory behavior and predation efficiency of Sycanus sp. against Metisa plana Walker: Implications for biological control in oil palm: Perilaku pemangsaan dan efisiensi predasi Sycanus sp. terhadap Metisa plana Walker: Implikasinya terhadap pengendalian hayati pada kelapa sawit Zahlul Ikhsan; Mona Aisyah; Nalwida Rozen; Sri Heriza; Moustafa Sabry Bakry; Amsar Maulana; Nur Ain Izzati Mohd Zainudin
Jurnal Entomologi Indonesia Vol 23 No 2 (2026)
Publisher : Perhimpunan Entomologi Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.5994/jei.23.2.1

Abstract

Bagworm (Metisa plana Walker) is a major defoliating pest of oil palm, causing significant yield losses during outbreaks. Biological control using predatory insects offers an environmentally sustainable alternative to chemical insecticides. This study evaluated the predatory performance of Sycanus sp. against M. plana larvae and assessed the effect of predator density on prey suppression under laboratory conditions. A completely randomized design was used with five predator-density treatments (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 predators per 10 larvae) and ten replications. Predator performance was evaluated based on prey-search duration, handling time, larval mortality, and prey consumption. The initial prey-search duration ranged from 2.11 to 2.25 min, while subsequent searches ranged from 1.69 to 2.04 min. Prey-handling time remained relatively constant across treatments (58.1–59.1 min). Predation by Sycanus sp. substantially reduced M. plana populations within three days, with the highest mortality occurring on the first day after predator introduction. Predator density significantly increased prey consumption, which rose from 1.26 ± 0.21 larvae at one predator to 4.43 ± 0.19 larvae at five predators. A strong positive relationship was observed between predator density and prey consumption (y = 0.795x + 0.451; R² = 0.9531). Although the highest prey suppression occurred at the greatest predator density, a ratio of two Sycanus sp. adults per ten M. plana larvae provided a favorable balance between prey suppression and predator deployment efficiency. These findings support the potential use of Sycanus sp. as a biological control agent in sustainable oil palm integrated pest management programs.
Diversity and community structure of insects on sugar palm and their correlation with abiotic factors in Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia Zahlul Ikhsan; Sri Heriza; Siska Efendi; Arifda A.S. Waruwu; Sandy Miranda Pranata; Abdel Raheem
Treubia Vol. 53 No. 1 (2026): Treubia 53(1)
Publisher : BRIN Publishing (Penerbit BRIN)

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.55981/treubia.2026.14371

Abstract

Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata Merr.) agroecosystems provide important ecological functions in tropical agricultural landscapes, particularly as habitats for pollinator insects and other arthropod communities. However, information regarding insect diversity and the influence of environmental factors on pollinator activity in sugar palm agroecosystems remains limited in Indonesia. This study aimed to evaluate insect diversity and community structure, and to examine the relationships between abiotic factors and insect abundance in sugar palm agroecosystems in Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Field observations were conducted in Lintau Buo and Sungayang Districts in 2025. Insects associated with sugar palm inflorescences were sampled during morning and afternoon observation periods using direct observation and sweep net methods. Community structure was analyzed using diversity, evenness, richness, and dominance indices. At the same time, the effects of abiotic variables on pollinator abundance were assessed using Negative Binomial Generalized Linear Models (GLM) and Spearman rank correlation analysis. A total of 2,297 insect individuals were recorded, consisting of 1,858 pollinator insects and 439 visitor insects belonging to 13 genera. Pollinator communities were dominated by Apis spp., Vespa sp., Polyrhachis spp., Episyrphus sp., and Tetragonula spp. Diversity analysis indicated moderate insect diversity, with high evenness and low dominance, suggesting relatively stable ecological conditions within the agroecosystem. Negative Binomial GLM revealed that rainfall significantly reduced pollinator abundance (Estimate = −0.084 ± 0.021 SE, p < 0.001), while relative humidity also negatively affected pollinator activity (p = 0.006). Spearman correlation analysis confirmed a strong negative relationship between rainfall and pollinator abundance (rs = −0.82, p < 0.01). These findings demonstrate that sugar palm agroecosystems support diverse insect communities and highlight the importance of environmental conditions in regulating pollinator activity within tropical agroforestry systems.