A Half-yearly Peer Reviewed Journal of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
A survery was conducted to assess the present status of infestation caused by the beehole borer, Zeuzera conferta Walker(Cossidae: Lepidoptera) in keora (Sonneratia apetala Buch.-Ham.) plantations along the coastal belt of Bangladesh. The survey covered plantations raised in the four Coastal Afforestation Divisions, namely Patuakhali, Bhola, Noakhali and Chittagong of the Forest Directorate. The survey revealed an overall infestation of 20.9% with an average of 15.6,16.6, 26.3 and 25.2% in the four Divisions respectively. A number of plantation attributes, such as age (3-20 years), inundation duration (very low to very high levels with which the keora stand got tidally inundated in a year), canopy closure (open and closed), and stand composition (single species and mixed species), were evaluated for their correlation association with the degree of infestation. The correlations between the degree of infestation and plantation age in Patuakhali (r = -0.28 ) and Bhola (r = -0.31) were non-significant, whereas those in Noakhali (r = -0.71) and Chittagong (r = -0.53) were significant. The infestation trend reached its peak at around the age of seven years and then decreased slowly. Infestation was higher in highly inundated (> 9 months inundation), open canopy and single species stands.
This paper reports the distribution, nature and impact of damage, life history, number of generations in a year, host records and biocontrol agents of the beehole borer, Zenzera conferta Walker (Cossidae : Lepidoptera) infesting keora (Sonneratia apetala Buch.-Ham.) plantations along the coastal belt of Bangladesh. The pest profusely tunnels in the stem rendering the tree to wind breakage. It probably completes two generations in a year. Besides keora, the pest attacks Sonneratia caseolaris, Avicennia officinalis, A. alba and Tamanx indica. Woodpeckers (Dinopium benghalense and Picoides canicapilltis) and a small black ant were found to feed on the larvae and pupae of the pest.
Welcome to the Bangladesh Journal of Forest Science (BJFS) – a leading platform for advancing the knowledge and understanding of forest science in Bangladesh and beyond. Established with a commitment to excellence, BJFS serves as a cornerstone for researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts dedicated to the sustainable management and conservation of forest ecosystems.