ABSTRACT

The study was conducted from September to November 2007 to find out the pests that affect oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) in Ministry of Agriculture Umuahia, Abia State (Nursery), and Nto-Ntia village, lka Local Government Area, Akwa lbom State (Field and Fruits). Results from the survey showed that a total of 313 pests samples were collected comprising of 21 pest species belonging to 21 families and 10 orders. Vertebrates' classes and weeds were also found to cause damage to oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) both in Ministry of Agriculture, Umudike and Nto-Ntia village, lka. The most abundant pests were insect pests which include Lamicolaria, Zonocerus variegatus, Plecticus elongatus, lridiomyremex humi/is and Macrotermes species. The major pests were Macrotermes species (termites), Zonocerus variegatus (locust) and Thryonomys swinderianus (grass cutters). But the most pest encountered in all stages of oil palm was Macrotermes species (termites). The study revealed that, nursery seedlings and young palms in the field were more affected than the fruits and adult. Man and other vertebrates like grass cutters were also found to cause damage to these palms. It also pointed out that farmers of oil palm especially field do not take good care of the palm plantations due to lack of knowledge about pest control with chemicals (Integrated Pest Management, IPM), hence allowed the palm to strive with pests of different types which cause damages to palm and reduce palm yield and production.