Exposure Test of Oecophylla Smaragdina (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) for Controlling Damage from Prays Endocarpa (Lepidoptera:Yponomeutidae) on Pummelo (Citrus Maxima Merr.)

Abstract

Prays endocarpa Meyrick is a kind of pest that attacks pummelo (Citrus maxima Merr.) lowering the quality and the selling price of the fruits. Information about the use of ants as a pest predator has been widely found. This research aims to test the use of Oecophylla smaragdina ant to control attack from P. endocarpa on pummelo. Two treatments were carried out, namely treatment with exposure of O. smaragdina ants on fruiting stalks and without exposure of O. smaragdina ants. Exposure of O. smaragdina was carried out for three weeks since the fruits were still young, sized 10-15 millimeters. The level of attack and the number of fallen pummelo fruits were observed during six weeks of treatment. The observations showed that the average rate of damage of P. endocarpa was lower in treatment with exposure of O. smaragdina (17.24%) compared to treatment without (81.25%). Likewise, the results found on average of the number of fallen fruits were lower in treatment with exposure of O. smaragdina ants (9.3%) compared to treatment without ant exposure (50.0%). Mann Whitney test at the 0.05% level used for the two observations showed a significant difference between the two treatments. O. smaragdina ants are reliable as a controller for P. endocarpa damage on pummelo.