IDENTIFICATION AND DAMAGE BY WOOD BORERS OF Pterocarpus indicus TREES IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS OF VIETNAM

Pterocarpus indicus is a native hardwood that is widely planted in plantations in Vietnam as well as an ornamental tree on roadsides, parks, and in municipal gardens. In the Central Highlands the trees are often attacked by wood borers. This study identifies Cnestus aterrimus (Curculionidae: Scolytinae), Hypothenemus birmanus (Curculionidae: Scolytinae), Sinoxylon anale (Curculionidae: Bostrichinae), Xylosandrus compactus, and X. discolor (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) infesting P. indicus trees in Dak Lak and Gia Lai provinces. The most prevalent species is S. anale, comprising more than 90% of the damaged trees. Our study is prerequisite for further research on their biological and ecological characteristics necessary to design control solutions for effective pest management.