The Development of a Population of Pantorhytes szentivanyi Marshall (Coleoptera:Curculionidae) Within a Cacao Planting in Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

The early stages of a population of Pantorhytes szentivanyi within a Theobroma cacao planting are briefly described. The cacao, when four years old, was only lightly infested in border areas by the larval progeny of immigrant adults. Seven months later, the first generation of adults to arise within the trial area appeared. This event was followed by a rapid expansion of the population throughout the entire trial area. A second generation of adults emerged six months later, and was followed by a further increase in the number of larvae. Because of continued oviposition by adults of all former generations the emergencies of subsequent generations were indistinguishable.