Integrated Pest Management – Dragonfly Pond Project Tropicana pioneers the use of dragonflies as a biocontrol mechanism. As one of the country’s leading developers, Tropicana is the first to deploy dragonflies to control pests naturally in Tropicana Golf and Country Resort (“TGCR”). The pilot project to release 88 larvae of Red Glider Dragonfly (Tramae transmarina) into a new man-made pond in TGCR on 24 September 2021 is a collaboration with well-known dragonfly expert Dr Choong Chee Yen from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (“UKM”). Our TGCR golf course is surrounded by lush greeneries to emulate a serene environment for our patrons to enjoy when they come to play the sport. Naturally, our humid and tropical climate is a conducive environment for pests such as mosquitoes to breed that consequently becomes a nuisance and threat to public health. To manage this, we embarked on a journey to adopt an integrated pest management (“IPM”) approach by utilising biological methods to reduce or eliminate pests rather than rely on harmful chemical products that could adversely impact the environment. Our Dragonfly Pond is a flagship project to breed and sustain a healthy dragonfly population at our golf course as a means to apply biological control to mosquitoes in the surrounding area. Dragonflies are known natural predators of mosquitoes and other insects, thus a commonly used IPM measure has proven to be effective in the long term. We hope that this initiative effectively manages insect pests within TGCR grounds to create a comfortable and safe environment for our patrons to enjoy. During a field survey on 18 February 2022, Dr Choong observed a total of 7 species of flying adults of dragonflies and damselflies throughout the day. Dragonflies 1. Tramea transmarina (Saddlebag Glider) 2. Brachydiplax chalybea (Blue Dasher) 3. Ictinogomphus decoratus (Common Flangetail) 4 Tholymis tillarga (White-barred Duskhawk) Damselflies 1. Ishnura senegalensis (Common Bluetail) 2. Pseudagrion microcephalum (Blue Sprite) 3. Agriocnemis femina (Variable Wisp) He identified two additional species in photos provided by TGCR staff: Trithemis aurora (Crimson Dropwing) and Orthetrum sabina (Variegated Green Skimmer). Larvae from 4 species, including the red glider, were recorded during the field survey. Three red glider exuviae – the dried outer skin young dragonflies left behind after they emerged – were collected. Dr Chong concluded that the pond condition is conducive for dragonflies and damselflies, with the red glider breeding successfully. The pond has also attracted other species, which are breeding at the site. He suggested that more aquatic plants, particularly reeds and hornwort, be planted as dragonflies like to perch on their tips. Landscape Maintenance • Challenging due to the high maintenance cost. • Lake water to be utilised for watering purposes for more cost efficiency. • To remove the weeds and keep the plants healthy for a balanced ecosystem. • Only use contact chemicals pesticide and herbicide control. Contact control agents are more eco-friendly as it is surface active substance which are not absorbed by plant tissue. It is usually sprayed directly onto foliage or bunches where the insect pest or fungus is living or feeding. 75 TROPICANA SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT
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