Mealybugs, Planococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), are the secondary pest on the cacao plant. However, this pest often infested cacao shoots in the nursery and causes the death of the seedling. Pest control efforts use existing materials plants in Indonesia and are relatively easy to make and adopt by stakeholders. The purpose of this research was to screen the efficacy of some plants extracts against mealybugs on cacao. We researched in the laboratory of pests and diseases, IIBCRI. Mealybugs were collected from cacao plantations and reared in the laboratory. The materials plants used for extraction were Cassia spectabilis leaves, Gliricidia sepium leaves, Cinnamomum burmannii leaves, Allium sativum bulbs, Reutealis trisperma fruits, and Cymbopogon nardus leaves. The methods were spraying the plant extracts on mealybugs directly (KS) and cacao pod (BS). The results showed that all types of oils at a concentration of 5% in the KS and BS methods could kill mealybugs equivalent to deltamethrin. The smallest value of LC50 3 DAT is at the MSW (KS), while at 7 DAT, LC50 7 DAT is at MDG (BS). The fastest LT50 value is at MSW (KS) 5%, while in the BS method, the fastest LT50 value is on the MBKS 5%.

The dark green leaves of Sauropus androgynus (Euphorbiaceae) have various nutritive values and are commonly used for human consumption as food, medicine, and natural dye substance in South-east Asia. Shoot cultures of this plant were established by adding various concentrations of kinetin (Kn) and benzyl adenine (BA) using nodal explants. The best results were recorded when Kn 0.1 mg/L was used with BA 1 mg/L (BA1Kn0.1). Spectrophotometric analysis showed two peaks of green pigment in shoot cultures, A pigment (λmax = 663.6 - 663.8 nm, absorbance 0.1111) and B pigment (λmax= 611.3 - 613.9 nm, absorbance 0.0390). Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis showed two green spots (Rf Y = 0.31 and Rf Z = 0.25) of shoot cultures on medium supplemented with BA1Kn0.1 for 10 days. Pigment profiles of shoot culltures were similar to their corresponding mother plants. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used as a preliminary technique to evaluate the genetic similarity of the shoot cultures and their corresponding mother plants. It showed four similar DNA banding patterns to their leaves, ranging from 271-765 bp.

Plantation crops such as coffee and cacao are significant commodities that contribute to Indonesia’s national income through exports to other countries. However, pest infestations in the field reduce coffee and cacao production with the mealybug or Planococcus spp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) being one of the pests that cause losses in both crops. The objective of this research was to carry out a desk review of the importance of controlling Planococcus spp. in plantation crops, especially coffee and cacao. These insects infest the stems, undersides of leaves, and fruit. The population of Planococcus spp. can increase rapidly in a short period. The destructive stages of this insect are the nymph and adult suck plant sap hence inhibiting the development of the infested plant. P. citri and P. minor are species commonly found in plantation crops. Male insects have a life cycle of up to 27 days, while females have up to 115 days. Planococcus spp. produces a small amount of honeydew which attracts ants. Losses caused by this pest in plantation crops can reach 80-100% at the nursery. Damages can be higher if the pests are associated with ants such as Anoplolepis longipes because it will help spread the mealybug. In addition, the honeydew, excretion of mealybugs causes sooty mold and interferes with the photosynthesis process of plants. Cultural management can reduce the presence of these pests in the field. The strategies to control the pest in coffee and cacao plantations include; maintaining natural enemies such as predators and parasitoids, biological control such as entomopathogenic fungi and liquified smoke sprays, pheromones and botanical pesticides from plants containing repellents.