Study of underground Adoretus versutus Har. (Col., Scarabaeidae) populations in Vanuatu: detection of cohabitation with other white grubs

Abstract

AbstractIn the absence of any natural enemies, Adoretus versutus has become the biggest threat to cocoa plantations in Vanuatu since its accidental introduction. Its biological cycle, from the egg stage to adult emergence, takes place in the top few centimetres of soil, preferably in pastures and near the host plants on which the adults feed. Various samples taken for a study of larva population dynamics revealed that five types of white grubs were likely to cohabit. Their existence and identification have to be taken into account before any attempt is made at biological control of A. versutus.