Studies on Management of Entomofauna of Cocoa Theobroma Cacao L

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is one of the greatest treasurers ever discovered by man. It is the only source of chocolate and is a rich source of sensory pleasure and energy adored by almost everyone. It is the third important beverage crop next to coffee and tea and is third highest traded commodity in the world. It is one of the world’s most valuable crops playing an important role in socio economic life of more than 5 million households and affecting 25 million in poor rural areas.In India cocoa cultivation is largely confined to southern states viz. Kerala Karnataka Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Cocoa is usually planted as inter crop in coconut and arecanut plantations. India ranks eighteenth among the countries cultivating cocoa having an area of 71000 hectares with a production of 15000 metric tonnes and productivity of 0.2 metric tonnes of which Tamil Nadu covers an area of 24000 hectares with a production of 1100 metric tonnes. Kerala is leading in the production with a share of 41.72 per cent followed by Andhra Pradesh. Integrated pest management system focuses on long-term prevention of pests and their damage.