Pest management in forestry.

Abstract

Current and past progress in forest pest management in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia is reviewed, and the widespread insect pests of teak (Tectona grandis), pine (Pinus spp.), mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla and S. mahagoni) and Albizia falcataria are discussed in relation to the damage caused by them. It is considered that research activities in South-East Asia, although proceeding well, are inadequate in comparison with the pest problems in the region, due to inadequacies in financial support, opportunities for collaboration and availability of trained personnel. The current development of industrial monoculture plantations in South-East Asia is likely to result in greater pest problems, increasing the need for improved forest pest management activity in the region.