Arthropod fauna and rats in organic sugarcane in Tahiti

Abstract

As organic sugarcane is promised to an important development in French Polynesia thank to the high-quality rum produced in this part of the world, preliminary studies on main biotic constraints were conducted on this crop between 2018 and 2021 to better apprehend their control. Visual observations at regular intervals and captures using different types of traps were carried out to collect and identify the arthropod fauna in Tahiti Island. With no surprise, stemborer insects were the most important pests of sugarcane in these different areas. We were also able to identify key predators and parasitoids that are important to preserve for natural control of these pests. Stem borers and rats are a big concern in most islands and like the other pests, we make propositions here to implement some tactics of agroecological crop protection.