Common treeshrew

The common treeshrew (Tupaia glis) is a small mammal belonging to the order Scandentia and the family Tupaiidae. While often viewed as a curious animal in biological studies, in agricultural contexts within its native range in Southeast Asia, it is recognized as a persistent pest of plantation crops.

The treeshrew is known to damage various high-value tropical crops, including oil palm, cocoa, and various fruit-bearing trees. Their opportunistic feeding habits allow them to exploit these monoculture environments, where they cause significant economic losses by damaging young vegetative parts and maturing fruit.

The biology of the common treeshrew is marked by a diurnal activity pattern and high adaptability. These mammals are prolific breeders, with females producing multiple litters throughout the year. Their agility allows them to navigate tree canopies and plantation structures with ease, making it difficult to contain their presence in large-scale farms.

Damage is typically characterized by gnawing and shredding of plant tissue. By consuming fruit flesh and biting into tender stems, they not only reduce the marketable yield but also create wounds that facilitate the entry of secondary pests and diseases, such as fungal infections which can eventually kill the plant.

Management strategies focus on physical exclusion and habitat modification. Key control methods include:

• Installing physical barriers such as metal bands or plastic guards around the trunks of vulnerable trees.
• Maintaining clear plantation floors to minimize nesting sites.
• Deploying scare tactics like acoustic deterrents during critical growth stages.
• Implementing integrated pest management (IPM) to minimize chemical reliance while monitoring population density.