Keragaman Serangga Pengunjung Bunga Jantan Kelapa Sawit .. (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Abstract

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is one of the plantation crops that became the source of non-oil foreign exchange earner in Indonesia. Oil palm is monoecious plant, in which the same tree bears male and female flowers. Generally a male and female flowers do not bloom simultaneously. Consequently, cross-pollination with weevils help is needed. A weevil species, Elaeidobius kamerunicus is an effective pollinating insect of oil palm because it is specific and well adapted either in wet or dry seasons. The objective of this research was to study the diversity of insects that visit male flowers of oil palm besides E. kamerunicus. The observations were conducted during three days in each month, ie May, June and July 2011 for 10 minutes using fix sample method. During the observation, the name and the number of individual species of insects visiting the male flowers of oil palm were recorded. Performance of weather elements, ie temperature, humidity, and light intensity were measured. Further, insects identification were conducted in the laboratory. Results showed that, besides E. kamerunicus, in PTPN VIII, AFD IV Toge, Garden Cikasungka Bogor were found Rhynchomyia, Scaptodrosophila (Diptera), Diplatys, Forficula (Dermaptera), Camponotus, Dolichoderus, Cerapachys, Crematogaster, and Heteroponera (Hymenoptera). Scaptodrosophila was the dominant visitor insect. Dermaptera and Hymenoptera were predatory insects. The diversity and evennes of insects visiting male flowers of oil palm were low (H’ = 0,59 and E = 0,27).