THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE OWL HOUSE (RUBUHA) FOR THE EXISTENCE OF TYTO ALBA IN A RICEFIELDS AREA: A CASE STUDY IN SUMEDANG DISTRICT

Abstract

Pest attacks have occurred intensely ricefields along Sumedang District in West Java. As a way to cope with pest attack, biopredator Serak Jawa or Javanese Owl (Tyto alba) was used by the farmers by making the Owl House (Rubuha) as a habitat for T. alba. This study investigate the condition of rubuha to understand the characteristics of active rubuha in the rice fields as well as the effectiveness of rubuha to the presence of T. alba. The characteristics of active rubuha are indicated by the presence of T. alba in the rubuha, the bones of mice, the presence of pellets, and the feces of T. alba which were on the roof of the rubuha or under the rubuha. Rubuha is effective as a place to live for T. alba, which plays a role in the breeding process of T. alba and as a monitoring area for pests in rice fields.