DIVERSITY OF INSECT PESTS IN WATERMELON (CITRULLUS VULGARIS) IN FARMERS LAND IN JUATA PERMAI AREA, NORTH TARAKAN

Abstract

Pest attack is a limiting factor in watermelon cultivation and requires control measures. Identification of pests is the first step that must be done before starting pest control efforts. Identification of pests that aims for effective and efficient control. In addition, it is also necessary to know the biology of the pest and the symptoms of damage associated with control. This study aims to determine the types of insects that attack watermelon plants and determine the type of damage caused by insects to watermelon plants. The research uses active collection and passive collection methods, active collection uses direct collection and passive collection uses traps such as pitfall traps and yellow traps. The insects then identify and analyze the data using the Shannon-Wienner (H') diversity index. The data obtained at the time of the study were collected using a survey in the field and observations of the locations used as research sites by using observational plots. From the results of data analysis, it was obtained that H' or species diversity on watermelon cultivation land in the Juata scenic area of North Tarakan, namely H' = 0.80 which is included in the category of low diversity. There are 8 types of pests attack watermelon plants in the research area, namely walang sangit (Leptocorisa acuta), wood grasshopper (Valanga nigricornis), green grasshopper (Oxya hyla), aphids (Aphis gossypii), leaf beetle (Aulacophora similis), flies fruit (Bactrocera dorsalis), leaf caterpillar (Plutella xylostella), gangsir/cricket (Gryllotalpa orientalis). There are 3 types of damage caused by insects, namely curling of leaves caused by insects of the order hemipteran with a piercing-sucking mouth type, Hollow and torn leaves caused by insects of the order Ortoptera with a chewing-biting mouth type, then holes in plant fruit caused by fly attacks fruit.