Serangga20(1): 43-53
ISSN 1394-5130 © 2015, Centre for Insects Systematic,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
BUNCH MOTH, TIRATHABA RUFIVENA
(LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) INFESTATION CENSUS
FROM OIL PALM PLANTATION ON PEAT SOIL IN
SARAWAK
Zulkefli Masijan, Norman Kamarudin, Ramle Moslim,
Alindra Gerald Sintik, Siti Nurul Hidayah Ahmad and Siti
Ramlah Ahmad Ali
Biological Research Division, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, No. 6, Persiaran
Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor
Corresponding email: zulmas@mpob.gov.my
ABSTRACT
Tirathaba rufivena is the major pest in oil palm plantation
planted in peat soil in Sarawak. High infestation was reported in
Miri, Mukah and Sibu. Censuses on the infestation of T.
rufivena were conducted at three different locations, i.e. in Miri
(young palm), Mukah (mature palm) and Sibu (ablation
samples). Samples for census were taken from infested bunches,
female and male inflorescences. The census was done by
chopping the bunches and the female inflorescences while for
the male inflorescences, the bottom of spikelets were cut to
determine the number of live larvae and pupae. The census