Semiochemical techniques for the management of coconut insect pest
2024
Thegusha, K | Alagar, M | Shanmugam, PS | Suganthi, A | Vellaikumar, S | Baskaran, V | Sheela, V | Srinivasan, T | Jeyarani, S | Gandhi, PI | Saravanan, PA | Murugan, M | Shanthi, M
Semiochemicals are chemical substances utilized by insects use to modify their physiology and behaviour and are classified as pheromones (intraspecific effects) and allelochemicals (interspecific effects). It plays a crucial role in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a marker of insect presence and a behavioural modifier that prevents pest dissemination and multiplication. Insect populations can be managed using various attractant-based strategies such as monitoring, mass trapping and attracting insect pests. These management methods require understanding insect chemical ecology and identifying the cues involved. Semiochemicals for managing key insect pests of coconut have been extensively studied. However, practical utility and awareness among farmers are limited. Major coconut pests are managed with effective and efficient attractants, pheromones and host volatiles. Semiochemical applications are gaining importance as a primary management strategy and provide significant scope for sustainable and eco-friendly pest management. Despite the noteworthy strides in developing semiochemical-based pest management approaches for coconut, a critical gap exists for further innovations to evolve solutions applicable to a broader array of significant pests and establish sustainable and highly effective pest management strategies. In light of this, the use of semiochemical techniques for sustainable pest management in coconut plantations is extensively discussed in this review.
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