Results of three insecticide trials against cocoa podsuckers in the Northern Province.

Abstract

The results of three insecticide trials conducted against two insect species damaging cocoa pods are presented and discussed. Under field conditions, the insects were controlled more effectively by gamma-HCH applied as a dust formulation than by the same insecticide applied in liquid formulation at the same rate. In both the Kokoda area where the coreid Amblypelta theobromae Brown is of major importance and in other areas of the Northern Province where Helopeltis clavifer (Walker) (Heteroptera : Miridae) is the more damaging species, results indicated that insecticide treatment if applied at the currently recommended rates of 154g a.i. and 70 — 100 g a.i. gamma-HCH per ha respectively would be profitable at cocoa prices much lower than those presently being paid (K1400 per tonne — January 1981).