Control of Castnia daedalus, a major pest of oil palm in Suriname

Abstract

Castnia daedalus Cramer, a lepidopterous trunk borer in oil palm, is commonly controlled by spraying Endrin, Monocrotophos, Dipeterex and Sevin. Experiments to kill the larvae by injecting insecticides (Monocrotophos and Furadan) into the trunk were carried out with negative results. Manual application of Furadan 5% granular into the spear region at the upper part of the crown was more successful, efficient, and less costly than spraying Endrin or Monocrotophos.