Neurozerra conferta (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) damaging Melaleuca plantations in Vietnam and its biological control

Melaleuca leucadendra and M. cajuputi are grown widely in Vietnam, with plantation areas 2020 of 32,000 ha 36,000 respectively. A stem borer, Neurozerra conferta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), has significantly damaged plantations both species. Field surveys 2021 found N. damage to the four provinces Ninh Binh, Long An, Dong Thap Kien Giang a incidence (P%, percentage plants attacked) 22.4–33.2% an average index (DI) 0.77–1.01. In An province, 2022 frequent at age 2–3 years P% ranging from 22.7 27.3% DI 0.46 0.54. Beauveria bassiana Metarhizium anisopliae were identified as potential biological agents control effectiveness 59.6–63.3%. Screening identify resistant varieties development integrated pest management strategy for recommended.