Dear Juan,

Onchoscelis germari is a weevil species that is known to cause damage to Simarouba amara plantations. Unfortunately, there is no published information about specific chemical or biological control methods for this species. However, several general strategies can be used to manage insect pests in crop plantations:

Cultural control includes crop rotation, sanitation, and proper irrigation and fertilization.

Biological control includes using natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to control the pest population. This method can be challenging to implement for a specific pest like Onchoscelis germari. Still, you may want to consult with experts in the field or entomological research centers to see if there are any known predators, parasites, or pathogens for this specific weevil.

Chemical control: This includes using pesticides to control the pest population. It's important to note that chemical control methods should always be a last resort. It should be done under the guidance of a qualified professional, following the label instructions, and in compliance with all relevant regulations.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): This approach to pest management combines several methods, such as cultural, biological, and chemical control, to achieve the most effective and sustainable pest control. For example, we use artistic control methods to reduce the pest population to low levels and then use chemical control methods only when necessary.

It's essential to consult with experts in the field and conduct research to determine the most appropriate control strategy for a specific pest in a particular location, as the strategy's effectiveness may vary depending on the specific conditions of the plantation.

It's also essential to keep monitoring the situation on the plantation, as new methods or techniques may become available over time.

I hope I was able to answer your question.

Yours sincerely,

Edgar M Cambaza

Hi Juan, I would suggest to go with a combined biological control approach. You can try to suppress the pest in soil by using entomopathogenic fungi before or during plantation, and on the leaves/plants/shrubs by spraying botanical pesticides that have a repellent effect (eg: Azadirachta indica commonly known as Neem). Both of them are harmless and alternative to chemical pesticides.