Prof. Dr. Agr. Sc. Hagus Tarno, SP., MP. is a professor in the field of Agricultural Entomology. He was inaugurated on Sunday (15/10/2023), at Brawijaya University (UB).
In his scientific oration entitled The Potential of MESS (Modified Ecological Engineering Strategy) in the Management of Ambrosia Beetles, Prof. Hagus said that one group of insects that plays an important role in agricultural and forest ecosystems is the ambrosia beetle. The term “ambrosia beetle” refers to an ecological strategy shared by groups of wood-boring beetles from several taxonomic groups. Most groups of ambrosia beetles evolved from bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae), a group of various weevils that nest in trees. Ambrosia beetles do not feed on tree tissue; but instead, they introduce a symbiotic fungus into the worm’s passageways, which is mostly the food of ambrosia beetle.
The approach to manage ambrosia beetles so far still uses a single approach such as the use of pesticides, either just insecticides or insecticides combined with fungicides.
So far, ecological engineering has been more about vegetation management for habitat modification that is beneficial for natural enemies, but in the MEES approach, semiochemistry can be an important part of the ecological engineering approach. Modified ecological engineering strategies (MEES) include the use of single (attractive) and paired semiochemicals (combination of attractants and repellents), landscape heterogeneity, plant thinning and sanitation.
The advantages of MEES are that it reduces the potential for exploding ambrosia beetle populations, is environmentally friendly, can be used as an early warning, and is more efficient than the use of synthetic pesticides. The weakness of MEES are that it requires good planning, knowledge of the bioecological aspects of ambrosia beetle, and the results cannot be seen in a short time. [Oky/ UB PR/ Trans. Iir]
