Sustainability of Mahogany Production in Plantations: Does Resource Availability Influence Susceptibility of Young Mahogany Plantation Stands to Hypsipyla robusta Infestation?

Hypsipyla robusta Moore (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), like many other moth species, shows selectivity when choosing host plants for its eggs. Four Meliaceae species (Khaya grandifoliola, K. ivorensis, Swietenia macrophyla, and Entandrophragma cylindricum) were established in a moist semideciduous forest Ghana to study this at 12 21 months after planting. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) P -value 0.05 was used test the significance differences infestation by H. between species. attacks recorded month planting field, only Khaya spp. attacked, with evident on 15.5% K grandifoliola 6.6% ivorensis. Saplings blocks closer an older infested stand had more compared saplings further away. mean percentage attacked 38.9%, 13.3%, 7.4% 4 different plots located increasingly away from plantation. A similar trend found ivorensis 28.4%, 7.1%, 0.0%, 0.0% stand. These results indicate higher number shoot borer edge plantation proximity plantations. After months, fastest-growing individuals within most infested. fastest growth followed S. macrophylla. E. cylindricum least no infestation. percentages trees 59.1%, 23.7%, 5.6%, macrophylla, cylindricum, respectively. Within experienced attacks. positive correlation observed plant size (R2 = 0.76). Attacks resulted death apical proliferation multiple shoots spp., recording lower than grandifoliola. proliferated also 0.84). findings will assist developers, managers, investors mahogany plantations devise integrated pest management strategies reduce impact their