INTEGRATED CONTROL IN PALM PLANTATIONS - RESULTS

Systematic chemical control is giving way to interventions limited in both number and area, through better knowledge of population dynamics. Insecticide application methods need to be diversified and selective products found. Agronomical techniques have been developed (e.g. Oryct es) to limit pest populations. It is important to protect and encourag e the development of predators (case of the Pseudotheraptus - Oecophyl la complex) and parasitoids by increasing the number of attractive pla nts (Solanaceae - Malvaceae). Entomopathogenic organisms:fungi and esp ecially viruses, discovered in 39 lepidopteran species, can sometimes be used to replace chemical insecticides. Lastly, semiochemical substa nces (kairomones and aggregation and sexual pheromones) can also be in cluded in integrated control programmes.