Collecting the fruit
Collecting Hopea ferea seeds in Thailand
Both beetles and moths have been found, at least as larvae, in all stages of the flowering and fruit process.
Collecting the fruits at these different stages involves some difficult procedures, including:
- Climbing the tree and cutting branches bearing fruit, or using ropes to shake fruit off.
- Collecting falling fruit using fruit traps set under the trees, keeping fruit from different trees separate wherever possible.
- Keeping the fruit sealed in bags to prevent insects escaping before examination.
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Rearing larvae
To better identify the insect predators, fruit may be stored to allow the insects inside to reach maturity.
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Sampling fruit for infestation
Fruit must be sampled at random to determine if insect damage is present. This is done by cutting into the bud or fruit to see inside.