Journal of Geoscience and Eco Agricultural Studies

Abstract

Bamboo borers (Omphisa fuscidentalis) are tropical insects highly valued in Thailand, with fried bamboo borers fetching prices of up to THB 3,000 per kilogram. These insects are univoltine, with their life cycle naturally synchronized to the rainy season, as bamboo shoots—their egg-laying substrate—are only available during this time. This study explores the use of Ocimum sanctum (holy basil) extract as a natural alternative to juvenile hormone analogs (JHAs) for promoting non-seasonal moth production. Three concentrations of O. sanctum extract (10, 100, and 1,000 ppm) were tested, and their effects on development were compared to JHAs. The results demonstrated that 10 ppm extract induced the highest pupation rate (82%), while 1,000 ppm extract yielded the highest adult emergence rate (78%). Both extract and JHA treatments significantly shortened the larval period (92-99 days) compared to the control (270 days), with no significant differences in the pupal period. Preliminary unpublished observations indicate that moths reared under the specified conditions outside the natural rainy season were capable of mating and producing fertilized eggs, suggesting further potential for sustainable non-seasonal production. This study offers an innovative approach to scaling bamboo borer production, enabling local agriculturalists to rear these high-value insects in their bamboo forests without reliance on synthetic chemicals.