Effect of different oil palm (Elaeis sp) genetic origins on the development of Trabanta rufisquamata (Notodontidea Lepidoptera) Hampson 1910

Abstract

Oil palm cultivation, one of the strategic sectors of the agricultural system in Benin, has been mainly confronted since 2016 with attacks from a dangerous pest, Trabanta rusfiquamata (Notodontidea Lepidoptera) Hampson 1910. This new pest unknown to the farming world therefore appears as a threat to the survival of the sector. Faced with this situation, this study was initiated to identify palm plant material which limits T. rufisquamata attacks. In order to study the influence of plant material on the development and survival of the insect, twenty (20) caterpillars were fed in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three repetitions, at ambient temperature and humidity, with four different materials from the two species of oil palm tree; Elaeis oleifera (Costa Rica CR715 and Mangenot LM7410) and Elaeis guineensis (Deli X La Mé C1001F, Yocouboué PO 10232). The results showed a highly significant extension of the development cycle in individuals fed on leaflets of E. oleifera compared to individuals fed on leaflets of E. guineensis, whatever the origin of the plant material. Indeed, the duration of a larval development is 26.32±1.64 days with the leaflets of E. oleifera of Costa Rica origin and 26.72±1.15 days with the leaflets of E. oleifera of Brazil origin compared to 24.74±0.99 days with the leaflets of E. guineensis of Deli X La Mé origin and 23.87±0.75 with the leaflets of E. guineensis of Yocouboué origin. The highest mortalities were observed at the L2 and L3 stages in individuals fed on E. oleifera leaflets both of Costa Rica origin (24.02±1.20; 56.41±7.62) and of origin Brazil (26.21±2.68; 58.97±5.1). Thus, this work made it possible to highlight the existence of toxicity in the palm E. oleifera which could therefore be used in a varietal selection program.

Key words: Oil palm, Trabanta rufisquamata, development cycle, Elaeis sp., genetic origins