Abstract—The study aims to investigate the potential use of breeding substrates (cocoa pod husk, banana stump, and combination of cocoa pod husk and Cocoa pod borer infested pods) for an enhancement population of pollinators, Forcipomyia spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). The numbers of pollinators was monitored at intervals of two weeks at four distances (2, 5, 8 and 12 m) from the breeding sites. This observation was carried out for the period of 94 days. Field study demonstrated that the emergence of pollinators was higher at Day 52 (2.875a), and significantly different with Day 66 (1.563bc), Day 80 (1.250bc), Day 12 (1.042bc), Day 94 (0.792c) and Day 1 (0.792c). The numbers of male (1.063a) and female (1.813a) pollinators were recorded highest at Day 52. Cocoa pod husk recorded the highest number of male (1.115a) and female pollinators (0.792a), followed by banana stump, control and combination of cocoa pod husks and CPB’s infested pods. Higher numbers of pollinators were recorded at a distance of 2 m (1.760a) from the breeding sites, followed by 12 m (1.740a), 8 m (1.480a) and 5 m (1.323a). The overall observation suggests that cocoa pod husk is the most suitable breeding substrates for enhancement of cocoa pollinator’s population.

 

Index Terms—Theobroma cacao, cocoa pollinator, Forcipomyia spp., transferable breeding container

Cite: B. Saripah and A. Alias, "The Use of Transferable Breeding Container for Population Enrichment of Pollinator, Forcipomyia spp. in the Cocoa Ecosystem," Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 245-251, September 2018. Doi: 10.18178/joaat.5.3.245-251