Diversity and ecosystem services of natural enemies in sustainable smallholders’ oil palm plantations in West Kalimantan and Riau

Sustainable oil palm plantation practices can have a positive impact on production, biodiversity, and the ecosystem. The management of oil palm plantations influences farmers’ cultivation techniques, which play a crucial role in maintaining the habitat of natural enemies in oil palm plantations. The presence of these natural enemies in oil palm is important for maintaining ecosystem stability. This study aims to examine the relationship between sustainable oil palm plantations and the diversity of natural enemies. Understanding the interaction of insect pests with parasitoids and predators in oil palm plantations. The research was carried out from December 2023 to August 2024. Insect sampling method was conducted using a beating sheet and sweep net. The number of caterpillar pests found was 16 species from 21 morphospecies that attack oil palms in West Kalimantan and Riau. Predators found in oil palm plantations are Sycanus sp. (Reduviidae), ants Oecophylla sp. (Formicidae), robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae), (Tachinidae), wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), (Coleoptera: Carabidae and Coccinellidae), and spiders (Araneae). Parasitoids found include (Braconidae), (Aphelinidae), (Eulophidae), Telenomus sp. (Scelionidae), and Brachymeria sp. (Chalcididae). Agricultural techniques prohibit the use of pesticides such as paraquat, and the prohibition on not clearing vegetation in oil palm plantation areas and is requires to have a high conservation area (HCV). Ecosystem services of natural enemies (parasitoids and predators) are important for maintaining environmental stability in both sustainable and non-sustainable oil palm plantations.