Predators and Parasites in Coffee-Based Farming System
Rint and Tepora (DSAC) monitored the existing predators and parasites of insect pests in coffee-based farming system since 1996. So far, 13 natural enemies of the insect pests have been collected from coconut, black pepper, lychee, banana, lanzones, and coffee. These are:
| 1. Coccinelid beetle | Micraspis sp.: Coleoptera, Coccinelidae |
| 2. Scale-eating ladybird | Rhyzobius sp.: Coleoptera, Coccinelidae |
| 3. Black coccinelid | Unidentified species: Coleoptera, Coccinelidae |
| 4. Pupal parasitoid | Unidentified species: Chalcididae, Hymenoptera |
| 5. Praying mantis | Unidentified species: Mantodea |
| 6. Orb-weaving spiders | Argiope catenulate Doleshall: Araneae, Oxyopidae |
| 7. Lynx spider | Oxyopes javanus, Thorell: Araneae oxyopidae |
| 8. Jumping spider | Phidippus sp.: Aranea Salticidae |
| 9. Melon spider | Araneus inustus L., Koch: Araneae, Araneidae |
| 10.Chalcid wasp | Brachymeria sp.: Chalcididae, Hymenoptera |
| 11.Egg parasitoid | Unidentified species: Hymenoptera |
| 12.Earwig | Unidentified species: Carcinophoridae, Dermaptera |
| 13.Golden orb-weaver | Nephila maculata: Araneae, Araneidae |
Six of these feed on major pests of crops in coffee-based farming systems. Three are predators, namely, the black, organe (Micraspis sp.) and he two spotted coccinelids, Rhizobius sp. Three others are parasites, two of which are still unidentified parasitic wasps and a chalcid wasp (Brychymeria sp.).
The black coccinelid feeds on hemispherical scale which infests coffee leaves and its rate of predation ranged from 5.88% in April to 86.13% in February. Scale infestation is reduced by more than 50% in May, November, April, and October.
The orange coccinelid Micraspis sp. feeds on homopterous pests, namely, hemispherical scale, white louse scale,a nd grey mealybugs. Predation ranges from 29% to 74%. The highest population build-up occurs in March for both pest and bio-control agent. The grey mealybug population is effectively reduced by the orange coccinelids at an average of 57.79% per month. The white louse scales infest the leaves of lanzones and its population build-up is checked by the orange coccinelids. Predation ranges from 66% to 91.3%.
The effectiveness of the biological control agents in reducing pests infestation is expected to lessen the extensive use of chemicals in controlling fruit pests.
Organic Farming Information Network
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research
and Development (PCARRD)
©2006