Population Dynamics of Insect Pest on Commercial Growing of White Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Abstract

One of the main constraints in commercialization of the mushroom production was the damage caused by insect pests. One of condition for controlling insect pests properly is understanding the population dynamics of these insect pests. This study aims to analyze the dynamics of pest populations in the white oyster mushrooms growing house. The research was conducted in the white oyster mushroom growing house  located in Cisarua Village Cisarua District West Bandung Regency, at an altitude of 1,350 meters above sea level, with monthly temperature between 17-24 ^oC. The white oyster mushrooms growing house area was ​​8 m x 5 m, consist of 5 shelves, with each shelf consist of 5 levels. The research method used is the survey method.  The survey was conducted to collect insect samples for every week at 2-10 weeks old after planting. Insect collection was done using water yellow pan traps.  The results showed that insect biodiversity in white oyster mushroom was very low (0.64). Only three species of insect pests and one predator species were found, namely Cyllodes bifacies, Libnotes immaculipennis, Bradysia ocellaris, Euborellia spp. respectively. The highest population density found at white oyster mushroom age of 2, 3, and 10 weeks, with total population densities of 249, 210, and 235 adult insects respectively, while the lowest population density found  at 4 weeks with a total population density of 83. The pest population in white oyster mushroom is dominated by B.  ocellaris, with total population of 1,036.