PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — As part of a follow-up effort to strengthen oil palm pollination, the Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute (IOPRI/PPKS) has introduced three selected pollinating beetle species—Elaeidobius subvittatus, E. kamerunicus, and E. plagiatus. The introduction involved larvae and pupae, totaling around 2,000 individuals per species.
The pollinators were imported from Tanzania on April 3, 2025, and arrived a day later at the PPKS Insectarium in Marihat Unit under the supervision of the Indonesian Quarantine Authority (Barantin).
Initial incubation results showed promising outcomes, with 1,704 adult beetles of E. subvittatus, 1,494 of E. kamerunicus, and 1,359 of E. plagiatus successfully developed. The next stage involved metagenomic testing at the Integrated Genetics Facility (IGF) Biology Laboratory of Gadjah Mada University to confirm species purity and detect any potential quarantine pests or pathogens (OPTK A1).
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In parallel, host suitability tests were conducted on a wide range of crops, including oil palm, coconut, rice, maize, and horticultural plants such as chili, papaya, mango, and wax apple. Preliminary findings indicate that the three species show no attraction to flowers other than oil palm, confirming their safety and low risk of becoming agricultural pests.
“Initial results show that all three species are exclusively attracted to oil palm flowers, meaning they pose no threat to other crops,” said IOPRI researcher Agus Eko Prasetyo to Palmoilmagazine.com.
IOPRI is also conducting interspecies competition tests with local insects. So far, no signs of interspecific or intraspecific competition have been detected. Pollination effectiveness is being further assessed through olfactometer tests and behavioral observations within the insectarium.
The program has been closely monitored by multiple stakeholders. Monitoring and evaluation (monev) by the Directorate of Conservation and Biodiversity of the Ministry of Environment took place on July 10, 2025, followed by joint evaluations involving the Directorate General of Estates, Barantin, GAPKI, and research teams on August 12–13, 2025.
“Population growth was initially slow, but it is now becoming optimal. Within three months, the population increased fifteenfold to around 85,000 beetles,” Agus noted.
By mid-July 2025, IOPRI had engaged 22 plantation companies through discussion forums and training sessions on pollinating beetle management at the Marihat Insectarium, reinforcing industry readiness to adopt sustainable pollination practices. (P2)
