Pollination ecology of cocoa in Malaysia: identification of taxonomic composition and breeding sites ecology and pollinating activities and seasonal abundance

Azhar Ismail, . and Wahi S.M., . (1986) Pollination ecology of cocoa in Malaysia: identification of taxonomic composition and breeding sites ecology and pollinating activities and seasonal abundance. [Proceedings Paper]

Insects had been noted to play a vital role in the pollination of cocoa in many cocoa growing areas of the world. Little was known on the pollination ecology of cocoa in Malaysia and studies were initiated to determine the taxonomic composition breeding sites ecology pollinating activities and seasonal abundance of these insects. Four species of Ceratopogonids were collected and identified. The species comprised of Forcipomyia Euprojoannisia fuscimana Kieffer Dasyhelea sp. Brachypogon sp. and Atrichopogon sp. in order of abundance. F. E. fuscimana was prevalent in many cocoa growing areas and was thought to be an important cocoa pollinator. Three tribes and a possible genus of the family Cecidomyiidae were also identified including Aphidoletini Clinodipolosisi Cecidomyiidi and cf. Parallelodiplosis. Screening of various decaying plant materials confirmed that decaying cocoa pod husks rotten banana stumps and decaying leaf litter were the principle breeding sites for F. E. fuscimana and other species. Only Cecidomyiids were collected from the damp coconut stumps. Ceratopogonids required cool shaded and moist habitat for various activities. Clonal or progeny cocoa having closed canopies with good shade cover and having abundant leaf-litter seemed to harbour higher Ceratopogonid populations. Pollination took place throughout the day reaching its peak in the afternoon. Pollination was mainly affected by the Ceratopogonoid females. There were two episodes of flowering pattern with the initial heavy flowering period following the onset of rainy season after a short moisture stress period lasting from April to August. This was followed by the low flowering period from September to December. Ceratopogonid population fluctuations varied temporarily and generally showed to synchronisity with the flowering patterns. Both the flowering pattern and Ceratopogonid population pattern were dictated by the rainfall distribution pattern and to a lesser extent by site characteristics

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Abstract

Insects had been noted to play a vital role in the pollination of cocoa in many cocoa growing areas of the world. Little was known on the pollination ecology of cocoa in Malaysia and studies were initiated to determine the taxonomic composition breeding sites ecology pollinating activities and seasonal abundance of these insects. Four species of Ceratopogonids were collected and identified. The species comprised of Forcipomyia Euprojoannisia fuscimana Kieffer Dasyhelea sp. Brachypogon sp. and Atrichopogon sp. in order of abundance. F. E. fuscimana was prevalent in many cocoa growing areas and was thought to be an important cocoa pollinator. Three tribes and a possible genus of the family Cecidomyiidae were also identified including Aphidoletini Clinodipolosisi Cecidomyiidi and cf. Parallelodiplosis. Screening of various decaying plant materials confirmed that decaying cocoa pod husks rotten banana stumps and decaying leaf litter were the principle breeding sites for F. E. fuscimana and other species. Only Cecidomyiids were collected from the damp coconut stumps. Ceratopogonids required cool shaded and moist habitat for various activities. Clonal or progeny cocoa having closed canopies with good shade cover and having abundant leaf-litter seemed to harbour higher Ceratopogonid populations. Pollination took place throughout the day reaching its peak in the afternoon. Pollination was mainly affected by the Ceratopogonoid females. There were two episodes of flowering pattern with the initial heavy flowering period following the onset of rainy season after a short moisture stress period lasting from April to August. This was followed by the low flowering period from September to December. Ceratopogonid population fluctuations varied temporarily and generally showed to synchronisity with the flowering patterns. Both the flowering pattern and Ceratopogonid population pattern were dictated by the rainfall distribution pattern and to a lesser extent by site characteristics

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia. SB267 I61 1984 Call Number
AGROVOC Term:	THEOBROMA CACAO
AGROVOC Term:	POLINIZADORES
AGROVOC Term:	CERATOPOGONIDAE
AGROVOC Term:	MALASIA/ IDENTIFICACION
AGROVOC Term:	EPOCA DE APAREAMIENTO
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:25
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/14357

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