Brown chafer beetle

Systematic position: Leucopholis irrorata belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Scarabaeidae. This species is widely recognized as a major soil-dwelling pest in Southeast Asian countries, posing a significant challenge to tropical agricultural production.

Host crops: The pest has a broad host range, but it is economically most significant in sugarcane plantations. Furthermore, it frequently attacks the root systems of maize, rice, various fruit-bearing trees, and ornamental shrubs, causing widespread agricultural concern.

Biology and life cycle: The life cycle involves distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larval stage is the most destructive phase, spending the majority of its life underground. Adult beetles are nocturnal, feeding on plant foliage, while the larvae are responsible for the severe damage inflicted upon the roots of the host plants.

Nature of damage: Larval feeding on roots inhibits the plant's ability to absorb water and essential nutrients. This results in stunted growth, yellowing of the leaves, and eventual plant collapse. In areas with high infestation levels, the pest can cause significant yield reductions and total destruction of localized planting patches.

Control measures: Management of this pest requires an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy.

• Application of soil insecticides during the planting phase to protect the root zone.
• Utilization of biological control agents, such as entomopathogenic fungi like Metarhizium spp.
• Implementation of deep tillage practices to disturb the soil and reduce larval density.
• Monitoring of adult beetle populations using light traps during seasonal emergence periods.