Taro beetles, Papuana spp., (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are pests of taro (Colozasia esculenta) and a number of other plants in the South Pacific regions including Papua. The pest have become serious threat for taro farmers because it damage corm resulting in the loss of production. To control the taro beetle, 104 taro cultivars were evaluated for their natural resistance. The experiment was conducted in the Unipa Farm located in East Amban. Results of research shows that there are three cultivars being highly resistance and 36 cultivars being only resistance. The taro with white colour of corm flesh seems to be a non-preference factor that alter insect behavior, resulting in the selection of alternate taro cultivars.
Functional rectal carcinoid tumour and ocular myopathy.
