Thumbnail Image

Developing an Asia-Pacific strategy for forest invasive species: The coconut beetle problem – bridging agriculture and forestry

Report of the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network Workshop

Year of publication 2007

Pages 154

Author Appanah, S. (ed.); Sim, H.C. (ed.); Sankaran, K.V. (ed.);Forestry Group

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Series title RAP Publication

Series number 1020-6221|1014-2789|18194591|0428-9560

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Graceful coconut palms are a fixture of the tropical landscape and represent an important cash crop in the Asia-Pacific region. But a mysterious pest began ravaging the palms, scorching and browning the leaves, and ultimately killing them. It turned out that the mysterious pest is the palm leaf beetle which previously occurred only in the Pacific islands. If the menace is not halted, it is likely to cause major economic problems especially for rural folks dependent on the crop. Obviously natural barriers cannot be effective anymore in a shrinking globe where plant material is moved freely around the region. When FAO became aware of the problem it took immediate measures to control the spread of the leaf beetle. While chemical control measures can generally be applied, in this case the height of the palm and the cost of chemicals have both proven to be prohibitive. FAO took several steps to bring about effective control using biological control methods. But this remains only one measure among a series of activities needed if proper control is to be brought about. FAO has been exploring the range of activities which have to be put in place for effectively controlling the coconut leaf beetle from spreading further. This proceedings represents the results of a workshop – convened from 22 to 25 February 2005 in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam – of agricultural and forestry experts from across the region. They call for a need to develop a regional programme to investigate the coconut le af beetle problem so that the status of infestation and effectiveness of the eradication programme can be systematically monitored. The experts also point out the critical need to work between sectors. The proceedings goes beyond the coconut leaf beetle problem to look at the broader issues of invasive species in the region such as technology transfer, policies, institution building, and the importance of farmers’ education, all of which are integral parts of pest management.

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Report of the expert consultation on coconut beetle outbreak in APPPC member countries 2004
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    An account of the consultation held at the FAO regional office in Bangkok from 26 to 27 October 2004, attended by 17 representatives from 11 countries, to exchange experiences and lessons learned among member countries of the Asia-Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC) that are facing or may face coconut beetle outbreaks. Brontispa longissima is one of the most damaging pests of coconut in Asia and the Pacific and has spread to new areas in the region at a rapid pace. The beetle can cause s ignificant production losses, and high infestation levels may result in tree death. The traditional pest management approach based on insecticide use has not been able to stop the spread and the damage continues unabated. Experiences from countries in the Pacific demonstrate that the insect can be quickly, effectively and sustainably contained using classical biological control. This publication brings together the papers and presentations of the consultation as well as recommendations for commo n strategies to contain the pest.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    The unwelcome guests. Proceedings of the Asia-Pacific forest invasive species conference 2005
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    Invasive species have a long history of causing damage to forests in Asia and the Pacific, and a variety of infestations are currently having significant impacts in a number of countries. The damage caused by invasive species imposes enormous costs on the forests of the region in terms of ecological destruction, economic losses and detrimental social effects. To begin to address the challenges of forest invasive species, the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission convened the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Conference, 17-23 August 2003, in Yunnan Province, China. The conference provided opportunities to share experiences and knowledge relating to the threats of invasive species to forests and forest products – and to develop proposals for regional cooperation and action in addressing invasive species problems. This publication provides an overview of the results of the workshop and includes a summary of the technical presentations, as well as papers describing country initi atives related to invasive species.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Document
    Plant genetic resources newsletter 1996
    Also available in:
    No results found.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.