Philippine Journal of Science
150 (5): 1197-1206, October 2021
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 05 Apr 2021
New Records of Scarab Insect Pests of Cacao
(Theobroma cacao L.) in the Philippines
Orlando A. Calcetas1* , Joel L. Adorada2 , Jessamyn R. Adorada3,
Barbara L. Caoili3, Avelita M. Rosales4, and Eda F. Dimapilis4
1Department of Agriculture, Regional Field Unit 4 CALABARZON
Rizal Agricultural Research and Experiment Station
Tanay, Rizal 1980 Philippines
2Bureau of Plant Industry–Los Baños National Crop
Research, Development, and Production Support Center
Timugan, Los Baños 4030 Laguna, Philippines
3Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology
College of Agriculture and Food Science
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College 4031 Laguna, Philippines
4Department of Agriculture, Regional Field Unit 4 CALABARZON
Marawoy, Lipa City 4217 Batangas, Philippines
*Corresponding author:
orlando.calcetas@calabarzon.da.gov.ph; orly.calcetas@yahoo.com.ph
ABSTRACT
New records of scarab pests of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) were reported in the Philippines: the rhizotrogine chafer, Holotrichia bipunctata Brenske, 1892 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Rhizotrogini) and diplotaxine chafer Apogonia palawana Heller, 1897 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Diplotaxini). The feeding patterns of the two insect pests are characterized, and some integrated pest management recommendations were cited.