Attack of Shoot‐Sucking Pests on Gerunggang (Cratoxylum arborescens (Vahl.) Blume) in Peatland Rehabilitation

Gerunggang (Cratoxylum arborescens (Vahl.) Blume) is one of the native peat forest species in Indonesia. This species is widely used in the rehabilitation of degraded peatlands. Information about the cultivation and growth of gerunggang on peat rehabilitated land is still limited. Even information about pest disturbances of gerunggang has never been reported before on research sites. This study aims to measure the intensity of gerunggang pest attacks on peatland rehabilitation plantations. Observations were taken on one-year-old gerunggang species planted on peat rehabilitation land in Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. The results showed that shoot-sucking pests Mictis longicornis (Hemiptera, Coreidae) had attacked all gerunggang plants or the pest attack incidence reached 100. Symptoms of pest attacks are indicated by rotting of the shoot stalk, which in turn causes shoot death. Pests M. longicornis attack by sucking the liquid on the stems of Gerunggang shoots, causing the shoots to rot and die. The attack intensity reached 50.56 or was classified as a heavy pest attack. Although the pest attack does not result in the death of the gerunggang plant, its abundance can interfere with plant growth. Therefore, pest attacks need to be controlled to avoid further losses, such as a reduction in gerunggang's potential as a native species for peatland rehabilitation and other benefits. © 2023 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.