SOME BIOLOGICAL, ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PREVENTION METHODS OF THE ISOPOD Sphaeroma terebrans Bate DAMAGING MANGROVES IN HA TINH PROVINCE

Abstract

Research conducted from November 2023 to December 2024 at the Forest Protection Research Center under laboratory conditions (average temperature: t_tb = 28 ± 0.5 ^oC, average humidity: RH_tb = 76.5 ± 1.0%) have determined some biological and ecological characteristics of the Sphaeroma terebrans: Adults have a semicircular head with two pairs of antennae, large and bulging compound eyes, and a back with seven pieces of graf. Female adults are larger than male adults. The concentrated breeding season starts from late January to May and is scattered from June to September. The average life expectancy of female adults was 48.7 ± 3.2 days; The suitable living environment was at a salinity of 1.5 - 3.0%. In the prevention experiment of S. terebrans conducted in the field of mangrove forests planted with Aegiceras corniculatum, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Sonneratia caseolaris in Thach Khe commune, Ha Tinh province, the wooden stake traps showed relatively high efficiency (attracted from 20.2 to 80.5 individuals per log/month), while the foam box traps did not (only attracted from 1.8 to 6.5 individuals per spongy box/month). The suitable time to use wooden stake traps should be focused on the period from late January to May and can be supplemented in the period from June to September.