An overview on the management of key insect pests of cocoa with major emphasis on the cocoa pod borer, Conopomorpha cramerella [Malaysia]

The mirids, Helopeltis spp., and the cocoa pod borer (CPB), Conopomorpha cramerella, are two key insect pests of cocoa in Malaysia. Because of the threatening infestation by the CPB, most of the management efforts are currently directed towards this pest. Some of the available management tactics were discussed. These, both the cultural and mechanical, involve the concept of a host free period and pod sleeving, the biological tactic of using the cocoa black ant, Dolichoderus thoracicus, and the egg parasitoid, Trichogrammatoidea bactrae fumata, the use of resistant clones and the application of the chemicals. The use of these management tactics as components of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy is also discussed